East London has produced more then its fair share of artists over the years. We meet three up and coming talents, all hoping to be part of the role-call soon.

Louisa Chambers, 25
BA Fine Art Surrey Institute of Art and Design, MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art

Tell us about your art. 
I construct shapes through drawing and painting, creating my own dream spaces and objects. These spaces and objects symbolise personal narratives which are intertwined with the experience of the city and the bombardment of speed and technology. Often, the objects or spaces seem to be under attack and need protection. I enjoy this conflict between ideas and realisation, falling in and out of personal dreamscapes.

How did you know you wanted to be an artist?
When I was small, around eight years old, I started to draw. I haven’t stopped and I don’t think I ever will!  I see being an artist as not a job but more a necessity.

Which artists do you most admire?
I’m inspired by determined female artists such as Maria Lassnig and Louise Bourgeois because they are honest, gutsy and not ashamed to express themselves using a dark wit and sense of humour within their works.

Where can we see you?
I’m currently featured in ‘Start Your Collection’ at Contemporary Arts and I have just recently been selected for the 2008 John Moores 25 Contemporary Painting Prize. This will be exhibited at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Around Shoreditch I tend to hang out in the Reliance, the Electricity Showrooms and the Owl and the Pussy Cat. I am more of a pub girl than a clubbing one!
 
Jane Ward, 47
Graduated Royal College of Art 2007 receiving a Conrad Foundation award and Tim Mara prize

Tell us about your art
In my recent work I’ve been collaging digital images of the idealised miniature environment of a model village with images taken from the natural world. After they are printed on canvas I work over them by hand dissolving and removing some of the ink.

How did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Art was the only thing that seemed to hold my attention for any length of time.
 
Which artists do you most admire?
I enjoy work that is mentally as well as visually stimulating. Two shows I’ve seen recently that achieved this are Nigel Cooke and Gregory Crewdson.
 
Where can we see you?
I’m currently featured in ‘Start Your Collection’ at Contemporary Arts and I’m showing work in New Contemporaries 2008 which opens in Liverpool in September. Around Shoreditch I like the galleries, I always try to see the shows at the White Cube.

Lee Edwards, 27
BA Painting Chelsea College of Art, MA Painting Royal College of Art

Tell us a bit about your art
I make incredibly time-consuming, detailed work, sometimes painting and often involving photography. Recent work has involved scratching or etching into the surface of cheap snapshot photographs of interiors that have a personal meaning to me. I scratch out imagery of the outside world and bring it in around the furniture already present in the original photograph.     

How did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Making art has always come naturally and I realised it’s the best way I can express myself, my feelings, thoughts and ideas to the outside world.

Which artists do you most admire?
Tom Friedman because of his endless imagination with his use of economical materials and David Musgrave because of his base subject matter grounded in deep concepts and fine rendering.
 
Where can we see you?
I’m finalising details for forthcoming shows at present. Around Shoreditch I like to hang out in The Reliance pub.