Some highlights from a decade of Don't Panic

If you’ve ever been to a bar or club in one of the UK’s metropolises, you’ll probably have picked up a Don’t Panic Pack; an essential (and complimentary) collection of info on what’s happening in urban arts, culture and nightlife. In addition to the enlightening collection of flyers, you’ll also have found one original, imaginative and highly collectable Don’t Panic Poster. The posters have become a starting point for up-and-coming creatives looking to diffuse their work to a wider audience, as well as providing some rather unique and inspired free artwork.

Now in their tenth year, Don’t Panic are celebrating their ground-breaking initiative with an exhibition showcasing the artistic highlights that have featured in the packs over the last decade. The great and the good of street art will be presented at StolenSpace, an East London gallery run by graffiti trailblazer D*Face, renowned for its exhibitions of fresh, exciting urban art.

On show will be ten limited edition screen prints from Don’t Panic top picks including Shepard Fairey and Banksy, as well as 50 classic DP posters. The inaugural poster was designed by London’s favourite anonymous artist back in 2000; Banksy visited the DP offices and handpainted his work. Since then the packs have featured numerous well-known artists, from Pete Fowler to Kate Moross.

However, the art isn’t quite as undercover as you might think; none other than Barack Obama is a fan of Fairey. Latest poster artist Eine, whose ubiquitous signage has become part of the East London cityscape, hit the headlines as the David Cameron chose one of his works as a recent gift to the US President. Don’t Panic also gives the opportunity to new talents to design the poster; artists can upload their work via the DP website, and site visitors then have the chance to vote on their favourites.

Wild Fantasies: A Decade of Don’t Panic Posters promises a unique snapshot of urban art and design, and the chance to see truly innovative, inspiring artwork.

DPTV speaks to Eine about the contradictions of graffiti, escaping prison and his pal Banksy.

The exhibition runs until 3rd October at the StolenSpace gallery in London. Admission is free and at the Student Launch Party on September 29th, the first 20 through the door will receive free Don’t Panic Bansky Poster. For more information, see the Don’t Panic site.