Art Licks Weekend returns to champion independent gallery scene

As the major galleries gear up for their October openings, one art festival is hoping to steal their thunder this weekend that by championing the best emerging artists, galleries and projects in East and South London.

Art Licks Weekend is a three-day festival starting today in which young, independent galleries and spaces open to the public, with free events and exhibitions.

East London galleries such as Arebyte, Doomed and Transition are among those taking part in the festival, which is now in its third year, as well as less conventional gallery spaces in libraries, tube stations and people’s living rooms.

Art Licks was founded in 2013 by 28-year-old artist Holly Willats in response to a frustration that information about independent initiatives was not easily accessible to the public.

The free-of-charge grassroots festival hopes to highlight how the next generation of artists increasingly find themselves priced out of London, and how gallerists and artists in East and South London are finding creative ways to redress the balance.

This year Art Licks has confirmed 90 participating spaces with more than 300 artists working collectively – more than twice the size of the 2013 festival.

Art Licks Weekend is at various locations from 2–4 October. For the full programme see artlicksweekend.com