Something for the weekend
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At the heart of trendy Notting Hill lies Portobello Road, home to one of west London’s most notable street markets. It became more infamous with the release of the 1999 film Notting Hill - remember Hugh Grant living behind the blue door (which FYI no longer exists after being sold), owning the travel bookshop and pottering around the quirky stalls?
The infamous blue door
The two-mile long market attracts vast crowds every weekend, who make their way through the antiques sector, fruit and veg stalls, vintage fashion shops and second-hand area. But, this weekend Portobello Road is to launch an Art & Design Market, nurturing young and established artists and ‘encouraging new talent’, says market operator Maurice Nixon.
Fruit and veg stalls on Portobello Road
The new creative space will house 20-30 stalls showcasing art and design talent including fashion designer and fine artist Robert Cary Williams, artist Dorka Zgrzeba and illustrator Chris Getliffe.
Illustrations by Chris Getliffe
Illustrations by Chris Getliffe
Curator of the inaugural market, Keh Hui Ng, who has recently completed a masters degree in fine arts at Central St Martins College of Art and Design, says, ‘It’s the perfect “urban location” for a collaboration of artists and we anticipate a lot of interest from existing visitors to Portobello Road and from new art and design audiences.’
Also, watch out for the Notting Hill Arts Festival, from 24 June to 8 July, which the Art & Design Market is sponsoring. It plans to open additional arty activities during the festival, including an exhibition of sculptural work and lifedrawing workshops.
Portobello Art & Design Market runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-5pm and is located under the Westway flyover on the junction between Portobello Road and Acklam Road. If you are interested in having your own stall, e-mail heartofportobello@gmail.com
