Article by Dorothy Feaver

At the end of the summer term, London’s art schools open up to the public to exhibit their students’ final degree shows – and many of the works are often available to purchase. It’s a big trawl. Catch the exhibitions still remaining open over the summer, or make note for next by visiting the University of the Arts’ special website: showtime.arts.ac.uk

Bringing a lot of young art under one roof, throughout June and July every year the Truman Brewery in Brick Lane plays host to Free Range, a series of degree shows bringing regional art schools from around the UK to a bigger audience in London. This is something to make note for 2011. The former brewery provides a vast exhibition space, accommodating exhibitions of work from around 100 art courses, specialising in Fine Art, Fashion, Photography, Printmaking, Illustration, Sculpture, Graphics and Interior Design. Exhibitions rotate week by by week and the venue stays open till late, allowing for after work or pre-drinks browsing. Much of the artwork is for sale and prices are often very low. If you like something, keep a lookout for the artist, as they may well be within earshot or available to get in touch with, if you are interested in seeing more of their work. Without labels telling you what to think, it’s all about going with your gut instinct, there is no greater signal of value than that of liking something for yourself.

For more information visit:  www.free-range.org.uk

Many galleries, both public and private, produce specially edition prints, to make artists’ work available at an accessible price. If you like an artist’s work in an exhibition, there may well be a print produced specially to accompany it, just ask when you are next looking around.  To starts with, here are some public galleries with programmes of  limited editions, starting from around £50:

Whitechapel Gallery.
www.whitechapelgallery.org

Serpentine Gallery is curently offering 20% off limited editions.
www.serpentinegallery.org

Parasol Unit
www.parasol-unit.org

Camden Arts Centre
www.camdenartscentre.org

South London Gallery
www.southlondongallery.org