I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Mr Bingo and viewing his art and illustrations at his shop on Amwell Street. As luck would have it, I was out exploring Clerkenwell and Farringdon for my blog when something pulled me towards Amwell Street. It’s a lesser-known road tucked away between Angel and Exmouth Market, which I used to visit when I lived in North London. What I discovered was a lovely little shop showcasing the quirky, clever, witty, humorous and often quite rude works of Mr Bingo. His artwork captures the sort of thoughts and phrases many of us say out loud, or at least think privately, but would never imagine putting on our walls until now. If you’re looking for places to buy art in Angel, unique gifts in Clerkenwell, or somewhere a little different from the usual galleries and chain stores, this is well worth seeking out.
A Bit About Mr Bingo
Before becoming a full-time artist, Mr Bingo was a commercial illustrator for several high-profile companies. In 2015, he launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a book titled Hate Mail, a project in which he sent postcards containing insults to willing recipients (maybe not all of them were willing!). His rap video promoting the campaign is hilarious and well worth watching. Other Kickstarter rewards included being personally trolled by Mr Bingo himself. You could say the campaign genuinely kick-started his full-time art career.
Now, with his studio and shop on Amwell Street, Mr Bingo has a place where visitors can browse his work. One of the nicest things about visiting the shop is meeting Mr Bingo himself. Despite producing artwork that is often rude, cheeky and provocative, he is warm, approachable and incredibly generous with his time. It’s refreshing to meet an artist who is happy to discuss his work and make visitors feel welcome.
Funny Art With A Sharp Sense Of Humour
As soon as you enter the shop, you’ll notice how neat and tidy it is, with prints beautifully displayed on the walls in an assortment of frames. Mr Bingo’s style presents an interesting contrast. His choice of fonts and flowing handwriting is easy on the eye, while his use of bold colours and bright accents draws you in. Then you start reading the words!
Look a little closer, and you’ll discover plenty of swear words and wonderfully blunt observations. Mr Bingo clearly has a fondness for the F word and isn’t afraid to use it. His sayings often feel strangely familiar, as though he has somehow overheard your inner voice. For instance, in his print, ” One Woman whispers to Another, ‘I Secretly Love Gentrification” his work has a knack for making people chuckle, as there is usually more than a grain of truth behind it.
Mr Bingo has a clever approach to art. His “Venn Diagram of a Venn Diagram” perfectly showcases his playful creativity, while “Turn Your Sadness Into Money, Become an Artist!” pokes fun at the creative industries and perhaps at himself, too. He also reminds us not to forget to have fun. Sometimes his work is purely typographic, while at other times he pairs a simple illustration with a short caption. One example is “She Said No,” accompanied by an illustration of a ringless hand. With very little, he manages to tell an entire story.
Prints, Cards, Tote Bags, And Other Stuff
His work includes limited-edition prints alongside a wonderfully eclectic range of products. There’s an advent calendar, placards bearing slogans such as “Generally Pissed Off With Everything”, paper coasters declaring “Bored of Wellness”, tote bags, greeting cards, and all manner of quirky.
One greeting card in particular made me laugh. On the front, it says, “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You”. At first glance, you assume it is sweet and sentimental. Open it up, and the message takes a very different turn. Let’s just say it’s classic Mr Bingo humour. He also sells everything from skateboarding cat plates to a baseball bat, carrying a choice word of advice, all delivered with his trademark wit.
Why You Should Visit Mr Bingo’s Shop
This shore is adorable, and meeting the artist makes the trip well worth it. The shop only opens on Fridays, so make sure you put it in your diary. I can almost guarantee you’ll end up buying something. I had told myself I wasn’t buying any more art, yet I somehow left with a £60 print and a £15 tote bag.
There are plenty of places in London to buy artwork, but very few where you can meet the artist, have a chat and browse their work in such a relaxed, welcoming setting. The shop feels personal, creative and full of character, much like Mr Bingo himself.
Helpful Information About Mr Bingo Art Shop
You’ll find this art shop at 46 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1XS. The nearest stations are Angel (6 minutes’ walk), King’s Cross St. Pancras (14 minutes), Farringdon (15 minutes) and Chancery Lane (16 minutes). Opening times are Fridays only, from 10 am to 6.30 pm. If you can’t make it on a Friday, you can always purchase from the Mr Bingo website.
While you’re in the area, take time to explore the other independent businesses along Amwell Street, or wander down to Exmouth Market, where you’ll find plenty of food and drink options. If you want to explore the area, you may find these articles interesting:
Ten Things To Do In Exmouth Market
Ten Things To Do In Angel Islington
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.