What is Art-30?

For #MAIAThisMay, we commissioned 5 artists to make available pieces of their artworks for our Art-30 live art event. The premise was simple: 30 hours, for limited edition, mysterious artworks, to be sold for just £30 each. You wouldn’t know what limited edition piece you’d get until it arrived!

As an opportunity to get your hands on a limited edition artwork as well as help support the artist community, Art-30 went live 10am, Friday 15th May and ended 4pm, Saturday 16th May.

With the Art-30 Live Art Event now closed, we would like to thank everyone who made a purchase and supported. We were blown away by your incredible response: officially selling out of all available pieces before the event even ended!

We also wanted to shout out the 5 talented artists involved in this exciting commission, taking this week to spotlight each artist and their artistic practise.

Keep reading to find out more about the incredible Art-30 artists!

Tamara-Jade

Artist: Tamara-Jade

Art-30 Piece: ‘Planted’

Tamara-Jade is an artist, activist and educator based in East London. Her work centres themes of social change and community, often referencing her experiences as a black lesbian. First and foremost Tamara-Jade identifies as a communicator and her art practice is also bound up with her work as a facilitator, educator, and visual notetaker.

Find out More: | tamarajadekaz.co.uk | @tamarajadekaz | Twitter

Nyanza D

Artist: Nyanza D

Art-30 Piece: ‘Flamboyant’

Nyanza D is a London-based illustrator and animator. She takes inspiration from classic artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and uses the pop art conventions that are present in his work to create her own world that highlights a wide spectrum of modern black women. She has commissioned work for brands such as MTV, Nasty Gal, The Huffington Post and more.

Find out More: | nyanzad.com | nyanzad.tumblr.com | @nyanzad_ | Twitter

Lily Wales

Artist: Lily Wales

Art-30 Piece: ‘Filth’

Lily Wales’ practice aims to reframe the narrative around nuclear weaponry. Having previously explored the mushroom cloud as an icon and commented on the bizarre naming of atomic bombs, her work now focuses on the impact nuclear energy has on both the natural and political climate. Lily works predominantly with handmade photomontage and sculpture. For Art30 she has provided a piece from her archive.

Find out More: | lilywales.co.uk | @lilywales | Twitter

Aleesha Nandhra

Artist: Aleesha Nandhra

Art-30 Piece: ‘Inspired to innovate’

Aleesha is an Illustrator and Printmaker from London. When not working on commissions she enjoys exploring narratives and themes such as nature and music. She continues to create works on a freelance basis for clients including: Google, The LA Times, The Barbican and more.

Find out More: | aleeshanandhra.com| @aleesha_n | Twitter

Chiizii

Artist: Chiizii

Art-30 Piece: ‘Traffic’

Chiizii is a visual artist and designer born and based in London, raised in New York with an Igbo background. Her work serves as a means of social commentary, expression of thoughts and analysis of others and self. The work focuses on Black cultures where Blackness is standard, ever present. Whilst space for its various qualities to be examined is given. Chiizii's practice is informed by a textile print background, studied at London College of Fashion and an MA in Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts. She experiments with and combines painting, collage and textile work. Merging traditional and contemporary methods of creating, including a myriad of styles and references, her multidisciplinary practice is tied together with vibrant color and pattern. Best described as unbound but thoughtful.

Find out More: | chiizii.com | chiizii.persona.co | @Chiizii | Twitter

To find out more about all that’s happening this month with #MAIAThis May, check out: bit.ly/maiamay-programme

Don’t forget, we also have our Open Call Commissions taking applications until 12pm, 30 May!

Art-30: Artist Spotlight