One of Britain’s most aspiring young contemporary artists has become the capital’s first ever art busker, hitting the concourse at London St. Pancras station to capture still life scenes for public entertainment.
Rosie Emerson, whose work has appeared in Vogue and is billed as ‘beautiful, original and highly collectable’ shunned her studio for one of the UK’s busiest railway stations, swapping a guitar for canvas, easel and a life model to perform for an estimated 100,000 commuters as they made their way to work on Monday morning.
Regular visitors to St. Pancras will be used to seeing independent musicians in the popular busking spot but this is the first time an artist has taken up the iconic space. The unique performance precedes the opening of the Affordable Art Fair which launches in the capital this Thursday.
Rosie, who has exhibited widely in the UK, as well as in Europe and the US, donated the £205.40 made during her busking session to the Affordable Art Fair’s chosen charities; Caring for Courage and Keats Community Library.
Rosie comments, “I loved seeing all the surprised looks from people rushing to work when confronted with an artist and a life model busking. Why should busking be limited to musicians? I think my artistic interpretation turned heads and got people talking! I’m looking forward to displaying my work at the Affordable Art Fair and delighted to have raised so much money for worthy causes whilst having such fun.”
Nicky Wheeler, MD of the Affordable Art Fair UK said “We decided to bring the excitement of the Affordable Art Fair to the streets of London and remind the capital that creativity is all around us every day. Rosie brightened up a grey and rainy morning for commuters and we hope she has inspired a few people to pick up a paintbrush or start up an art collection of their own as a result.”
Rosie will be one of hundreds of artists whose work will be on sale to the public at the upcoming Affordable Art Fair, taking place in Battersea Park (25-28 October) and Hampstead Heath (1-4 November).