What a talon-ted bunch! Artists unveil UK's first exhibition dedicated to nail painting



From leopard print to diamante you can get your nails encrusted with an array of wacky designs.

And paying homage to what has become a multi-million pound industry, a group of artists in East London have unveiled the Nailphilia Exhibition.

Collaborating with the capital's top nail technicians, the graduates have put together an eclectic, first-of-its-kind nail display which opened to the public this month and includes eye-catching artwork worn by stars such as Beyonce.

Monochrome Roses: A work of art by Sam Biddle featured in the Nailphilia Exhibition at DegreeArt.com

Hailed as the first nail exhibit to hit the UK, the creatives at DegreeArt.com wanted to illustrate the skill involved with the body art through a colourful fusion of fashion and art.

An array of mediums has been used in the intimate gallery space including installation, photography, film and print.

DegreeArt.com director, Isobel Beauchamp, 29, who founded the initiative in 2003 said: 'Nail painting was being talked about just as much as handbags and hairstyles.

The intimate gallery space features a mix of mediums including installation, photography, film and print

Crystalized Installation by Sophy Robson (left) and a mixed meium work by Sophie Harris from The Illustrated Nail and Kostas Georiou (right)



'Yet the amazingly talented and dedicated nail artists are often sidelined.



'So we wanted to bring it back to the original art form that should be celebrated in its own right.'

She has worked with fellow DegreeArt.com director Elinor Olisa and exhibition curator Ryan Lanji to put the show together.



The project has been funded by Leeds-based nail art distributors Sweet Squared.



From left: DegreeArt.com directors Elinor Olisa, curator Ryan Lanji and Isobel Beauchamp

Established nail technicians involved in the project include Marian Newman, Sophy Robson, Sam Biddle, Mike Pocock, Jenny Longworth, Sue Marsh, Kirsty Meakin and The Illustrated Nail.



Contributors include Nick Knight's SHOWstudio, Minx, Cheap Monday's Nail Jewelry and New York-based Laruicci, the label behind the golden claws worm by Beyonce in her new music video 'Run The World.'

Colourful display: 'The Illustrated Nail' artwork is just one of the pieces on show at the nail art exhibition

All of the artists involved with project are recent graduates or current students.



Isobel added: 'DegreeArt is all about providing recently qualified artist with as much exposure as possible.'



Nailphilia runs from Thursday 1st - Sunday 25th September 2011 12 - 6 pm, 12A Vyner St, London E2 9DG, www.degreeart.com











