Rosie Irvine’s work has an intriguing, nostalgic charm that hints at stories just below the surface. She has had considerable success with her editorial work and her designs for book jackets. We loved her distinctive pieces, created with a combination of drawing, stencils and stitching, Rosie says, “I like to work by hand and make a mess.” However, she does use a computer to scan and piece together some of her pieces. We loved the slightly fractured ‘coloured in’ feel and the bright colour and merged tonal effects reprising faded family photographs.

The quality and variety of the work on show at Pick Me Up, the new Contemporary Graphic Art Fair at Somerset House is a big element of its success. Decorative, bold, delicate and surreal pieces are all included in the great mix of styles on display – there really is something for everyone. One of our favourites include Lorenzo Petrantoni’s black and white wall of cut paper.

Landfill/Manymono brought its Risograph printer to Pick Me Up Graphic Art fair, creating limited edition prints for an affordable £12.

Alongside a selection of work from its designers, the East London collective Peepshow has brought its £3 create-your-own wood block print to the Pick Me Up graphic art fair.

ARTS THREAD loves Ryantown at Pick Me Up. Rob Ryan has re-created his studio at Somerset House, London for the duration of the graphic art fair. Catch it while you can – to view his beautiful, fragile work as well as getting an insight into the atmosphere of his workroom, normally based in London’s East End.

Print Club London has set up its screen printing workshop at Pick Me Up, Contemporary Graphic Arts fair and every morning and afternoon of the fair has live screen printing with one of its team of graphic artists, from up-and-coming names to established names, such as James Jarvis, who was screen-printing Friday afternoon.

Pick Me Up launched last night at Somerset House, London with a strong turn out from invited studios and industry. ARTS THREAD takes a look at what’s in the show.

This December saw the work in progress exhibition of the department of Communication Art & Design at the Royal College of Art. ARTS THREAD went along to see what’s new.

‘Shift’ has been used as the title of this exhibition to represent the students’ journey from ‘novice to professional’ artists. ‘This exhibition is multi-facetted, exploring personal realities that range from hybrids of nature, culture and technology through to notions of boundaries and thresholds’ (Richard Harding, Printmaking Studio Coordinator, School of Art).

Located at Red Gallery, Fitzroy North, Melbourne, this exhibition takes place from December 2-19 and includes work from RMIT graduates who have completed the BA Fine Art and BA Fine Art (Hons) course.