Big Issue vendor Dave Martin to star in exhibition alongside art heavyweights

Popular vendor Dave Martin’s work is at the heart of this week’s Ben Eine-curated Art Special Big Issue magazine – and it’s going to take centre stage at the upcoming exhibition too.

Iconic artist Ben Eine has attracted big-name contemporaries Charming Baker, Shepard Fairey and more to produce exclusive work based around the concept of ‘Up’ for this week’s Big Issue magazine.

You will be able to see the designs up close at Eine’s OurTypes exhibition, in collaboration with The Big Issue, at London’s Jealous Gallery East from March 12-22.

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Big Issue vendor Dave Martin's 'Untitled' piece will hang among pieces from world-renowned stars like Charming Baker

The ‘Up’ theme is inspired by The Big Issue’s mantra of ‘a hand up not a hand out’ which refers to the idea of helping vendors to lift themselves out of poverty.

Dave’s work will be proudly on show at the event, embodying that mantra. He is also the My Pitch vendor in this week’s Big Issue magazine where he lifts the lid on how he has developed his own individual art style.

Dave, who sells the magazine and displays art on his pitch outside Tesco in Hammersmith, London, said: “To tell you the truth, I think the inspiration just comes from me. I have found out that my work is similar to many other artists, but not the same. I have my own individual style.

“I’m grateful for the placement I have at the moment. I’ve got my own little table and chair, I’ve got my own space, so I can come up with ideas. And it’s near my pitch. It means a lot. I can sell The Big Issue when I’m in there too.”

Catch more from Dave in this week’s The Art Special Edition, available with three iconic covers designed and curated by Ben Eine, one of the most celebrated street artists in the world and a pioneer of graffiti letterforms.

Following up his ‘CELEBRATE’ cover to mark the 200 millionth copy of The Big Issue in 2016, Eine has created three very special, and hugely collectable, front covers on the theme of UP. Each eye-catching design carries a version of his signature typography. In partnership with The Big Issue, Eine will be releasing a small run of limited edition prints, with a percentage of sales going directly to The Big Issue to support their work in dismantling poverty.

Get the full collection from Big Issue vendors across the UK now or from The Big Issue Shop.

Image: Louise Haywood-Schiefer