Our capital is the most vibrant and fertile cultural kindergarten on earth, and there's a new generation gagging to prove it. Simone Baird asks three talented judges- Lauren Laverne, Noel Clarke and JonnyWoo-to introduce their brightest young sparks, while Time Out critics unearth the best of the new breed, many of whom you can check out at this weekend's On The Up Festival at the Vortex (see page 30). Portraits Phil Fisk and Andy Fallon
In New York and Paris it's begrudgingly conceded that London has one of the best young art scenes anywhere, thanks mainly to our strong college system. And as the market for art seems to outstrip every hedge fund going, the possibilities for prodigies to have their work shown (first at end-of- degree shows and then in commercial galleries) as a prelude to building a decent career seem better than ever. Ossian Ward
Nick Hornby sculpts the impossible, from a life-size slice of a 721 shown at Selfridges to his pink Disney castle currently floating in King's Cross.
'Anticipation' is at the Ultra lounge of Selfridges until Sunday and Tell Tale Heart' is in Camley Street Natural Park.
‘Ever since my MA at Chelsea College of Art things have been great but exhausting. I’’ve explored skyscrapers and Selfridges basements as well as mini nature reserves. I’ve been asking friends to lug things about and I even persuaded Nick Hornby (the author) to do an artist talk with me. We’d been emailing since his publicist rather angrily rang up a gallery I was performing in to ask what they were playing at, and I’ve been invited and uninvited to various glamorous meals at The Ivy ever since’