Stik Big Issue Posters

[Wearology]

Street Artist Stik Turns Big Issue Sellers Into Art Dealers

DATE: 05 MAR 2013

The Street artist Stik, renowned for his iconic graffiti portraits of stick people, has created an exclusive series of four prints available only with the Big Issue magazine (on sale March 11th).  The prints, which will not be available through any other channels, are part of a collaboration designed to turn Big Issue vendors into art dealers for a week; interaction with a vendor is the only way to own one of the 75,000 of the highly collectable prints

Inserted into the magazines at random, there are four prints available: 30,000 blue, 30,000 red, 10,000 yellow and 5,000 orange, some of the which will be signed by the artist.   The first person to collect all four prints will also have the chance to claim a non-folded red print signed by Stik. 
 
The collaboration has been funded by Stik, who was himself homeless in 2011.  “Being homeless is one of the most debilitating things that can happen to an individual. All the support systems rely on you having a home.  My stick figures don’t have mouths, they are silent, but people see them.  Most homeless people are invisible as well as silent.  The Big Issue gives them a voice and I hope this collaboration reminds people that the people selling The Big Issue are trying really hard to help themselves, and to get out there and speak to them.”

Stephen Robertson, CEO of the Big Issue Foundation, adds:  “When Stik came to us to offer to work with us and fund this project we were intrigued and then incredibly excited. This is both a terrifically generous act from someone who himself so recently homeless, as well as a powerful statement from an artist. The Big Issue Foundation will be holding a Sleep Out in Bristol on the 19th of April and London on the 26th of April, to help raise funds for our work with vendors and raise awareness of homelessness issues in these hard times. We hope through Stik's work we can recruit a new generation of readers and fundraisers."

Stik’s street art can mainly be seen across London, but his recent gallery shows have been sell-outs, with his work being bought by everyone from Elton John and Chris Martin, to Tinie Tempah and Goldie, a street artist of some renown in his own right.   His work is also part of the V&A print collection.   He has also just completed a unique painting in the vendor area at The Big Issue’s offices in Vauxhall, where his journey from homeless person to celebrated street artist shows hope and inspiration to the vending community.

A Series Of Four Limited Edition Prints To Be Distributed Exclusively With The Big Issue Magazine
 
The Big Issue costs just £2.50 and vendors buy their own copies of the magazines for £1.25 per copy.

[Dr Plip]

Oh heck.

[Wearology]

If a kind forum member from across the pond could pick me up one of these STIK prints it would be greatly appreciated.  I will send you some nice art in return.  Thanks, Wear   

[Dr Plip]

This could be interesting.

I'll certainly have a look. We have a few sellers in my area, so this shouldn't be too hard. Be interesting to see if the colours are distributed reasonably.

[Dr Plip]

Mar 6, 2013 2:50:16 GMT 1 Wearology said:

If a kind forum member from across the pond could pick me up one of these STIK prints it would be greatly appreciated.  I will send you some nice art in return.  Thanks, Wear   

Do you have a colour preference?

(And thanks for the heads up)

[AFR1KA]

cool idea curious to see them

[Deleted]

Edition of 75,000...

Great idea but collectible?

[sohohoho]

From Monday 11th: www.bigissue.org.uk/news/2013/march/5/spray-word

[Wearology]

There are some signed prints in the publication as well.  I guess the signed one's would be considered collectible.  I am curious if they come with a COA as well.  

[Deleted]

Mar 6, 2013 4:49:31 GMT 1 Wearology said:

There are some signed prints in the publication as well.  I guess the signed one's would be considered collectible.  I am curious if they come with a COA as well.  

[br
Yes, written on a turtle.

[fingerz]

Mar 6, 2013 2:50:16 GMT 1 Wearology said:

If a kind forum member from across the pond could pick me up one of these STIK prints it would be greatly appreciated.  I will send you some nice art in return.  Thanks, Wear   

i'll grab a few fella

[Deleted]

Worth collecting and for a great cause ! I always buy the big issue from same seller ! Great idea by stik

[barryh]

Great cause, who cares if a coa is available for a run of 30000 ? this is raising awareness for a great charity.

[Deleted]

I am assuming Wear's COA comment was a 'joke'

[El Pulpo]

If someone could get one for me, it would be greatly appreciated

[t3c]

I'm guessing these will be similar to the Don't Panic edition?

Will try and get a few spares for folk here as well.

[psycho666]

I take it that if they are "inserted into the magazines at random" then you are not guaranteed a print if you buy one? Unless you go through the magazine before buying it... which might make you look a bit mean towards the homeless person!

Psycho666

[Deleted]

Strike a deal with your local big issue seller to get you all 4 prints for a few quid extra

[Dr Plip]

Mar 6, 2013 11:00:28 GMT 1 psycho666 said:

I take it that if they are "inserted into the magazines at random" then you are not guaranteed a print if you buy one? Unless you go through the magazine before buying it... which might make you look a bit mean towards the homeless person!

Psycho666

If that's the case, then some of these interactions will get interesting.

[blobbydon]

That's it. Will the mag be sealed??

[Dice]

A great idea from Stik, looking fwd to this.

[Dr Plip]

Mar 6, 2013 11:25:50 GMT 1 blobbydon said:

That's it. Will the mag be sealed??

I'd be surprised. That would cost a bit more money, and they might not wish to do that.

[t3c]

Mar 6, 2013 11:10:16 GMT 1 @benski33 said:

Strike a deal with your local big issue seller to get you all 4 prints for a few quid extra

already on that vibe

[guymo]

Mar 6, 2013 11:00:28 GMT 1 psycho666 said:

I take it that if they are "inserted into the magazines at random" then you are not guaranteed a print if you buy one?

The Big Issue's circulation is about 125,000 and there are 75,000 prints so most but far from all copies will have one, I guess.

[Monky]

Not a stik fan, but fair play to him!

[anarquee]

would love the set, anyone in london wants to help me?

[shechtmr]

I am in the US, if anyone out there wants to help me out after those who posted before me are sorted out, it would be greatly appreciated.

[t3c]

I think getting more than a couple completed sets will be tricky (only 5K of Orange) but i'll have a go

[anic]

Is the print going to be as a poster in the middle?

[Shoot Again]

Mar 6, 2013 17:00:32 GMT 1 anic said:

Is the print going to be as a poster in the middle?

Most probably a folded poster yes (my understanding), I guess we'll have to wait till monday ;-)