Who is Art Friend?

Art Friend throws art jargon out the window and invites everyone to the gallery. We are a non-conventional, inclusive space run by female gallerist Shona Bland. Art Friend makes art accessible, inviting and fun by showcasing and celebrating art from artists of all backgrounds and identities. This is a safe space where everyone can enjoy art – no stuffy vibes and no admission fees. 

We sell a range of artworks by handpicked friendly artists including more established names like Dave Buonaguidi (Real Hackney Dave), Adam Bartlett, Tabby Booth and Studio IMO to emerging talent such as Connor Doyle, Mathilda Mai and Claud. Mediums range from original artworks, print editions to oil paintings and sculptures. This East London Art Gallery 'Art Friend Gallery is here to shake up the art world and show that art is for everyone. Previous exhibitions include 'LeAF' Boxpark Shoreditch, 'REJECTS' Bermondsey, 'Housewarming' Stoke Newington, 'The Living Room' Bethnal Green and The Affordable Art Fair Battersea.


A picture of Shona Bland the founder of Art Friend, high-fiving an artist at his art fair stand full of blue cyanotypes.

A story from the founder Shona Bland:

“Many years ago, while helping an artist with an exhibition at Semi Skimmed Gallery, a friend brought someone along who had never been to an art opening before. He didn’t even know that local free exhibitions and private views existed. That moment was a revelation for me, I’d always taken this world for granted. He didn’t have an “art friend” to introduce him to it, and that’s exactly where Art Friend Gallery came to life.

My journey to setting up Art Friend Gallery wasn’t straightforward. I worked for an incredible art gallery for a couple of years, and it was the best job of my life, which I was actually really good at. But when the gallery closed, I struggled to find another role in the art world especially without an art history degree, and maybe because I didn't fit the typical mould. During this time, I worked for various inspiring startup creative companies, gaining valuable experience. After facing more rejections from art-related roles, I decided to take matters into my own hands. With the support of friends, I created Art Friend Gallery, which I now run independently."

Lets be #artfriends