Drawing Biennial 2013 at Drawing Room

Since its first edition in 2003, the Drawing Biennial at Drawing Room non-profit gallery has become an eagerly anticipated event for many of London’s art enthusiasts.

The biennial brings together specially made pieces by over 200 artists from all around the world, and includes work by many acclaimed figures – Mona Hatoum, Simon Faithfull and Paul Noble, to name just a few.

The artists were each invited by post to exhibit, and receive a letter containing a single sheet of paper upon which they were asked to create their piece. While some artists have clearly diverged from this by working onto a range of different papers and surfaces, they have all produced a single piece in A4. It is this imposed constraint which makes the biennial unique: the pieces are all entirely different, ranging from a photo realist landscape by Melanie Manchot to a collage by Jessica Voorsanger. Despite such contrasting works, however, the show retains an overall sense of unity.

For many of the artists, drawing is not their preferred medium. Cornelia Parker, for example, is predominantly a sculptor and creator of installation pieces, while last year’s Turner Prize winner Elizabeth Price is best known for her films.

The other thing making the exhibition stand out is that each piece has been donated by the artists, to raise much needed funds for the Drawing Room’s programme. The pieces can be bid for, from a starting price of £250, in an ongoing auction which will last the duration of the exhibition.

The Drawing Biennial is a colourful showcase of fresh and exciting new drawing, and the exhibition’s scope for variety means that there is definitely something for everyone. The show is only improved by the fact that viewers have the opportunity to purchase their favourite piece. A visit to the Drawing Biennial is highly recommended for anyone interested in contemporary art or drawing.

Melanie Weaver

Drawing Biennial 2013 is at the Drawing Room until 15^th May 2013. For further information visit the gallery’s website here.