British actress Patsy Palmer at the Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair Celebrating 10 years of fun and frivolity, the UK’s hottest annual art fair, the Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair was another unmissable event, featuring over 70 renowned artists including Sir Peter Blake, Gavin Turk, Tracey Emin, Polly Morgan, Mat Collishaw, Bob & Roberta Smith, Pam Hogg, Pure Evil, Marcus Harvey, Billy Childish, Bob & Roberta Smith and Wildcat Will who pitched up to personally sell their original and limited edition works of art out of the back of new and vintage Vauxhall Motors, at bargain prices.
The art world let its hair down, coming together to fill the car park with English eccentricity, quirky ideas, incredible bargains, cool art, eclectic wares and mad performances. Musicians mingled with fashion designers and actors as they all checked out the art, hung out at the bar and mucked in with all the entertainment, of which there was plenty. It was an art-buying frenzy from the moment the doors opened to the thousand plus queue, some of whom had camped overnight for the chance to grab the special just-for-the-day artworks. There was something for every pocket with works on sale for between £10 to £1,000.
Sir Peter Blake commented that: “I’ve been involved in the Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair since the first one 10 years ago and I’m always delighted to work with Vauxhall. I first read about the Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair in the paper and found out it was happening that day. I had created a limited edition of 30 wood engravings, so we found a box, went along and sold the lot. Since then I’ve been involved every year; it’s a clever way to make art accessible and affordable to everyone.  I always look forward to seeing what Gavin Turk will do on the day as well as Tracey Emin, Polly Morgan, Bob and Roberta Smith - it’s a bit of a reunion every year!”
Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair founder and curator, Karen Ashton, commented on this year’s event, “We’ll be pushing the boot out for the maddest, eye-poppingly fabulous Vauxhall Art Car Booter to date as we celebrate ten years of fun, frivolity and astonishing art bargains. Anyone with a few quid in their pocket can become a collector for the day, and there’s so much to do and see besides. The wonderful spirit of the Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair gets a fresh injection every year with even more original, outlandish ideas packed into every event and 2013 will be no exception.’
Speaking about the event, Denis Chick, Director of Communications at Vauxhall Motors said, “The concept of turning up in your car and selling is quintessentially British.  Vauxhall Motors is proud to be involved with the Art Car Boot Fair as it enters its 10th year and will exhibit cars from its past and present, including the Velox, 30-98, Cresta, and the exciting new ADAM.  June’s event will be another show-stopper, especially the limited edition prints Sir Peter Blake has kindly agreed to create for us in celebration of our 110th birthday.”