‘Chaos and energy’: Hackney artist Stik donates work to Southbank Centre to fund free workshops for children

Artist Stik and children at the STIK STAMP workshop. Photograph: Southbank Centre

Renowned local artist Stik has teamed up with the Southbank Centre to fund free arts events for children.

Stik first rose to prominence when his iconic stick figures began appearing on walls around Hackney, but he has gone on to earn international acclaim, with his work now fetching huge sums at auction.

Earlier this year, he hosted STIK STAMP, a nine-day series of free workshops at the Southbank Centre as part of its Imagine Children’s Festival.

It saw 3,500 children lift huge rubber stamps featuring minimalist versions of Stik’s signature figure, hand-carved by the artist himself, on to hemp paper.

Each child then jumped and stomped on top of their stamp to create their own print to take home.

To continue the legacy of the event, Stik has now donated his original, signed proofs to the Southbank Centre so it can pump money from the sale into more free arts sessions for children.

Stik said: “I made these artist’s proof prints during the children’s workshop to capture the chaos and energy of the event. It has been an honour to work with the Southbank Centre and I hope this sale helps provide more free events at next year’s children’s festival.”

The set of six proofs will feature in auction house Christie’s post-war and contemporary art day sale on 29 June.

One of the finished prints that children could take home with them. Photograph: Southbank Centre

Ruth Hardie, head of public programming at the Southbank, said: “Imagine Children’s Festival provides the opportunity each year for 30,000 children and their families to experience free art activities. STIK STAMP was one of the most popular elements of our 2023 festival.

“Funds raised from Christie’s auction of Stik’s six prints will go towards Imagine’s vital free inclusive programme ensuring every child regardless of their background has a space to play, create art and express themselves.” 

A 20-minute animated short film about the STIK STAMP workshops is to premiere at this weekend’s Glastonbury Festival.

The animation shows one of Stik’s figures dancing and stamping its feet and it will be screened alongside a live drum and bass session by seven-year old DJ Archie at the Hive stage on Saturday night.

DJ Archie was a headline performer at the Imagine Children’s Festival and participated in the STAMP workshop with Stik.

He said: “It was great meeting Stik and making some art together. It was really fun jumping up and down on the stamps to put the image to paper.

“It’s amazing to be involved with the Southbank Centre and sale of Stik’s prints.

“I hope they make lots of money so that next year’s children’s festival will be better than ever.”

The Imagine festival, which this year took place in February, features music, storytelling, comedy, dance, and visual arts, along with interactive activities.

At its heart is a series of free activities that make up 50 per cent of the programme and is open to children from all backgrounds and abilities.