London-based artist, Real Hackney Dave, guest edits exclusive art special for The Big Issue magazine

Today (Thursday, 10^th November), Dave Buonaguidi, better known as Real Hackney Dave, has produced an exclusive art supplement for Big Issue magazine, with brand new works by him and fellow artists which will be exhibited and sold to raise money for Big Issue Group (BIG).

The pieces showcased in The Big Issue art special are all created around the concept ‘JUST BE NICE’, on why he chose this subject, Real Hackney Dave explained: “It’s just 10 letters. Just three words. but it’s a very powerful and positive mantra and it’s very liberating”.

He continued: “The idea was to bring JUST BE NICE to life with pieces of art. I have made three huge JUST BE NICE works, a piece made of flowers, another with 4,000 sequins and even a seven-foot inflatable. I also contacted all the brilliant artists I know and asked for a massive favour. They created 50 incredible pieces that will be available to buy at a gallery in Hackney Wick in East London in November/December.”

All the works for the special edition include the JUST BE NICE motto, with the artists portraying their own creative takes on what that means to them.

Dave also asked Jamie Oliver to be a part of his special guest edited edition of the Big Issue, the celebrity chef and school meals campaigner took the opportunity to talk about what JUST BE NICE means to him: “Dave Buonaguidi, asked me to write a little something about kindness. Kindness shouldn’t be a competition, it shouldn’t be a transaction and it shouldn’t be seen as a badge of honour. I genuinely think it’s something beautiful, intimate and something that means you can sleep well at the end of the day. When all is said and done, it’s what really matters in life.”

He continued: “May I say thank you for your kindness in buying the Big Issue. It’s disgraceful that we

still have homeless people, so thank you for your contribution.”

The artists contributing to the special and exhibition include: Real Hackney Dave, Heath Kane, Haus of Lucy, Zombie Squeegee, Mervyn Penrose, Ben Eine, Shuby, Adam Bridgland, Cassandra Yap, Jessica Rose Bird, Newton Davey, Francesca Spinks, M.E Sterr-Molnar, Graham Storey, Julia Andrews, Gavin Dobson, Katie Mayer, Exhibit 69, Mark McClure, Natasha Searston, Nell Flynn, Maxine Gregson, Populuxe, Rose Stallard, Pam Glew, Stuart Forrester, Damien Cifelli, Colours of Marlow, Michelle Mildenhall, Amy Gardener, Caro Clarke and Angela Morris-Winmill.

Dave Buonaguidi, A.K.A Real Hackney Dave, said: “I have always been in awe of the work The Big Issue does. It’s very inspirational and the chance to work together with the team at The Big Issue to celebrate the concept of JUST BE NICE is a great fit and feels totally right at the moment. To be honest, I can’t think of any other organisation that eats, sleeps and breathes the concept of JUST BE NICE more.

“I’m a mixture of honoured, excited, and sh*t scared to be asked to guest edit this special, I just hope I don’t f*ck it up too much. I hope you enjoy it. More importantly, I hope you love all of the

stuff that has been created and donated by various artists. Their work will ultimately be up for sale in a new gallery space in Hackney Wick to raise funds for The Big Issue so they can continue to do more of the amazing work they already do. The generosity of the team at The Big Issue has been amazing.”

Russell Blackman, MD of Commercial, said: “We are extremely grateful to Real Hackney Dave, and all the contributing artists, who have created works for this exclusive art special edition of the magazine. The JUST BE NICE theme perfectly encapsulates our ethos at Big Issue Group. We really hope you enjoy this special edition as much as we do!”

The glitter Just Be Nice images come in four versions. There are 80 of each and they cost £60. Size 300mm x 210mm. The world map version seen on this week’s cover is a limited run of 250 prints, costing £125. Size 625mm x 550mm.

The works seen in this supplement will be on show in a new gallery space in Hackney Wick later this month, and then on sale to raise money for The Big Issue. For further details visit www.realhackneydave.com at the end of this month.

You can purchase the special edition of the magazine from your local vendor, or you can buy a subscription online: www.bigissue.com/subscribe/