Having first worked with Kris Andrew Small on an installation at our 2021 GT Honours Awards, we’re excited to be supporting the artist again on his latest exhibition ‘Be Human’.
The Sydney-based artist and designer Kris Andrew Small is launching a brand new exhibition, Be Human, which explores LGBTQ+ themes and issues through vibrant typography and style.
His work shouts ‘queer energy’. By going against the grain of ‘norms’ seen in design, Small’s work embraces a positive and sometimes chaotic, expressive community around him.
He will be flying to London this September where his month-long exhibition in partnership with Carnaby. Small will be welcoming a vibrant immersive experience at 57 Carnaby Street as part of their summer campaign ‘Carnaby in Colour’.
As well as a “range of experiences and workshops” from a live print screening to a live LDN painting (see the full list of events below.) GAY TIMES will be hosting a panel with Kris on the theme of ‘Queer Art as Queer Activism’ on the 6th September – you can book here.
The installation is centred around the message of ‘Be Human’, which encourages visitors to experience life in “all its colours and potential”.
“The world is getting bigger and bigger and more complex than ever,” Small said in a statement. “It’s easy to get consumed by it and forget at the base of everything we are human. Of course, our world is so diverse and celebrates so many cultures and identities.
“London is one of the most diverse cities on the planet and Carnaby Street is right at the centre of that, making it the perfect location for this installation.”
Small continued to explain that the campaign “aligns” with his artwork because it “celebrates everything to do with colour and inclusivity in the area, which also helped to inspire my work for this installation.”
Andrew Price, the Executive Director at Shaftesbury Capital, added: “We are excited to partner with Kris Andrew Small on this collaboration on Carnaby Street, transforming our space into a live immersive art installation. This is the latest in a series of one-off experiences for visitors and the local community that can’t be found elsewhere in London.”
The pop-up is open from 29 August to 27 September. Opening hours are 11am-7pm (Monday to Saturday) and 12pm-6pm (Sunday).
Event list
Saturday 2 September – Live screen printing – Live screen printing with People of Print from 12 noon – 3pm. An interactive workshop with People of Print where the public can purchase a tote bag to be live screen printed on with a bespoke ‘Be Human’ design in a colour way of their choice.
- Wednesday 6 September- 7:00pm – 8:30pm – Kris Andrew Small x Gay Times Panel Discussion x Queer Art as Queer Activism – Panel talk on important figures in the Queer art world and where it is heading today
- Thursday 7 September – Live LDN painting – Kris will be hand painting live in the space with his iconic LDN print curated especially for this pop-up
- 6-27 September – Kris & Friends pop-up- A carefully curated pop-up shop showcasing Kris’s work as well as some of his renowned London-based artist friends; Annu Kilpeläinen, Hattie Stewart, YONK and Kelly Anna
- 14 September – Annu Kilpeläinen Workshop- Annu to host a workshop curated around Carnaby in Colour
- Saturday 23 September – Live screen printing – Live screen printing with People of Print from 12 (noon) – 3pm. An interactive workshop with People of Print where the public can purchase a tote bag to be live screen printed on with a bespoke ‘Be Human’ design in a colour way of their choice.
Event Bookings: https://grandmatter.com/work/kris-andrew-small-carnaby-street
