Hackney Wicked Festival 2013 opens up art to everyone

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This years Hackney Wicked festival proved once again that the Wick is a vibrant and growing place for Arts in the city.

Packed full of artist studios they were opened up over the weekend and the Wick was transformed into a thriving hub as people from far and wide came to soak up the unique atmosphere that this area generates.

Pushed to the forefront of the art scene over recent years, the Wick sits on the cusp of the Olympic Park and for visitors to the recently opened Copper Box section it is just a short distance away. The entrance leading from the Energy Centre of the Park, closed for the period of the games is now one of the main entrances and exits from the Park leading as it does to Hackney Wick station just a short walk away. The recent opening of the park has only helped to bring yet more visitors to this funky part of town.

I had a look round of course to see what was happening. Although I knew that the Wick was a hub of artistic activity I had no idea just how much of the area is taken over to artists studios and the fact that they all opened their doors helped get a good feel for what was happening.

So in order to give you a feel for the ever cool Hackney Wicked festival, as ever here are a few pictures representing the sights of the weekend.

The Lord Napier Pub close to the overground station has received a makeover for the festival
The Lord Napier Pub close to the overground station has received a makeover for the festival
Artist 616 kindly made up a sofa in his distinctive style, it proved popular
Artist 616 kindly made up a sofa in his distinctive style, it proved popular
Fred De Chevaliers paste ups have been appearing all over the place recently. This one leads to Ben Hoppers studio which was opened up for the weekend
Fred De Chevaliers paste ups have been appearing all over the place recently. This one leads to Ben Hoppers studio which was opened up for the weekend
The Hackney Pearl is always a cool place to hang out
The Hackney Pearl is always a cool place to hang out
Random art high on a building next to the Hackney Pearl
Random art high on a building next to the Hackney Pearl
A number of studios back on to the canal. They were opened up and a lot of wares were being sold from the barges that line the canal
A number of studios back on to the canal. They were opened up and a lot of wares were being sold from the barges that line the canal
Anna Laurini has a studio in the Wick and this too was opened up
Anna Laurini has a studio in the Wick and this too was opened up
Essentially a series of warehouses, the Wick has quite an individual feel
Essentially a series of warehouses, the Wick has quite an individual feel
At the back of the Crate Brewery there were stalls and music.
At the back of the Crate Brewery there were stalls and music.
From the Crate Brewery the Olympic Stadium can just be seen. It's now easy to walk from the Wick via this footbridge to the Olympic Park
From the Crate Brewery the Olympic Stadium can just be seen. It’s now easy to walk from the Wick via this footbridge to the Olympic Park
Paul Insect sticker on the towpath of the Lea Navigation with the park in the background
Paul Insect sticker on the towpath of the Lea Navigation with the park in the background
Fred de Chevalier again on the towpath
Fred de Chevalier again on the towpath
Colourful chairs on the banks of the Hertford Union Canal which separates the Wick from Fish Island
Colourful chairs on the banks of the Hertford Union Canal which separates the Wick from Fish Island
The barges of the Hertford Union Canal leading to Victoria Park
The barges of the Hertford Union Canal leading to Victoria Park
In one of the warehouses on Fish Island this piece from Binty Bint was spotted
In one of the warehouses on Fish Island this piece from Binty Bint was spotted
Neoh, known for his ballerinas had a number of images in the same building
Neoh, known for his ballerinas had a number of images in the same building
Just off Stour Lane some artists were exploring the concept of community. This piece included a tin of Spam
Just off Stour Lane some artists were exploring the concept of community. This piece included a tin of Spam
Painting a barge on the canalside
Painting a barge on the canalside
Some Sweet Toof on some waste ground
Some Sweet Toof on some waste ground
Bream Street is becoming a real must see for street art
Bream Street is becoming a real must see for street art
Josh Jeavons is based in the area and has been using the Bream Street wall as a canvas
Josh Jeavons is based in the area and has been using the Bream Street wall as a canvas
Edwin has also been putting his mark on the area and his studio backs onto Bream Street
Edwin has also been putting his mark on the area and his studio backs onto Bream Street
Jimmy C added his mark alongside Alex Senna
Jimmy C added his mark alongside Alex Senna
Alo, Senna, Jimmy C and Edwin on Bream Street
Alo, Senna, Jimmy C and Edwin on Bream Street
In the yard of the studio behind the Bream Street wall
In the yard of the studio behind the Bream Street wall
In the little nooks and cranny's random creations like this can be seen
In the little nooks and cranny’s random creations like this can be seen
An interesting sink seen inside one of the studios on Fish Island
An interesting sink seen inside one of the studios on Fish Island
Ben Slow's portrait on Stour Road is still going strong.
Ben Slow’s portrait on Stour Road is still going strong.

For more Inspiring City posts about the area try :

A Street Art Tour of Hackney Wick and Fish Island

Published by inspiringcity

7 Comments

  1. Such a great place to explore!! You really fished well with some wonderful images of the festival! I spent the day there on a fab tour with Dave (nolionsinengland fame) on the “Street Art Photography Workshop Challenge”…. That toooo was well worth the trip down from MK…

    Reply

  2. Thanks Mitch I appreciate that 🙂 I’ve been on that tour myself (although it was a Shoreditch version) and have to admit I picked up loads of photography tips which I found really useful. Quite gutted I didn’t bump into you all actually think it was because I went too late in the day, great event though and loads going on

    Reply

  3. It would have been good to have met you! Forgot to mention another quirky cafe I love and it’s in White Post Lane, Hackney Wick… Yes The Electric Matchbox Cafe,, (EMBX) It’s a workshop for fixing computers but they do a great Latte! Another highlight was having a chat with Neoh… Loved his canvas work on show!!

    Reply

    1. Is the EMBX near to the Ben Hopper studio over the road from the Crate Brewery? I may have popped in and I know what you mean, how random to find a cafe there. I also saw the Neoh canvases, yep loved them too especially the ballerina being carted away by the police, brilliant. That whole series of workshops was very cool actually over on the Island

      Reply

      1. Spot on!!! And I had a quick peep into the Ben Hooper studio. I was in the cafe around 5ish and saw a few folks just pop in but not sure if it was a cafe so they left!!! So pleased you saw the Neoh Canvases!! I asked him how much they were… He said he does not sell his work. it’s very personal to himself! Great guy indeed!!

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