Bright Young Things Take Hackney ‘big reveal’

Print Solutions

The big reveal of the Mactac Europe Bright Young Things Take Hackney graphic design competition took place at Hackney Walk, a trendy retail destination in East London, with the unveiling of the impressive, colourful design of the winning artist, Linea Matei.

Launched in December 2017, Bright Young Things Take Hackney was open to 2016/2017 graduate artists and designers and to students studying art and design in Europe, including Turkey, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine and Israel. Entrants were asked to create a high impact, large scale display for exterior retail walls.

Linea Matei, who was selected as the winner by a panel of expert judges, was there with her family, to see the big reveal of her design on a large outdoor wall located at Bohemia Place in Hackney. A great opportunity for the young designer to show her work and reveal her artistic universe.

Linea works with conceptual and illustrative art, textile print design and workshops. Through her work she explores relations, behaviours and cultural norms. Sharing a few words with the audience of fashion and retail influencers, Linea explained that her artwork was inspired by the diversity and multiculturalism of the Hackney community, which she had expressed in a large scale mural with bright colours to spread energy, love and connection.

Angus McGuffin, creative director for Avery Dennison and Mactac Europe, said: ‘The mural, printed and applied using Mactac WW (Wall Wrap) 100 Pro, has transformed the black brick surface of the railway arch into a colourful, and impactful piece of art. The colour and size creating a brilliant instagrammable moment!’

Jack Basrawy, chairman of Hackney Walk, added: ‘I believe this installation will be an iconic part of Bohemia Place setting the tone for the creative and inclusive environment that we are building here. The graphic really has transformed the arch!’

Alongside the installation of Linea’s mural, was the opening of the pop up store for new brand West Carolina created by fashion designer Ana Carolina, herself a finalist of the Bright Young Things competition. The first collection for West Carolina, designed for the creative self made woman, titled ‘Wavy’, is inspired by colour and movement, and made to enhance the wearer’s passion for art and expression.

The project and events were made possible thanks to the help and expertise of Mactac’s design and large format print partner, Onward Display, along with the company’s installation partner Gess.