G: Tell us about your business.
We run the Nelly Duff gallery, which is a small friendly screen-print edition house tucked away on the Columbia Road market in London’s east end. Showcasing editions of the forefront of British & International graphic arts,. Like the flower traders, we are here rain or shine to bring something fresh and different to the residents of East London and the world!
G: Why do you do it?
Because we think cutting edge art should be available to and afforded by all..
G: What does inspire you?
Creative sustainable innovation that make a positive impact, discussion with our friends and clients, and all the fabulous artists who make us see the world a little differently- at Nelly Duff we strive for creative excellence and try to work with those who want the same.
G: Why are you unique?
We only sell what we would love to buy ourselves. We offer such a wide selection of artworks, unique to the gallery- the majority of pieces on show have been developed ‘in-house’, alongside the artists, so you really are getting a unique experience each time you step through the door.
G: What was your most successful project so far or what project did you enjoy the most so far?
Projects with in art sometimes have to be a labour of love. We continually try to be innovate by bringing pionearring artists to peoples walls, we attempted screen printing world records.. And recently producing the CHANGE print with Eine was super rewarding, because it massively benefitted a local charity.
Connecting the dots with the people of Shoreditch with an artist like Pablo Delgado’s artwork for the first time this month. He is a Mexican street artist who creates minature scenes with long shadows on the pavements of east London. Over the last 3 years these have snapped themselves into the photo librarys of seemingly everyone’s phones…giving so much joy!
G: What are the main challenges maintaining your business and how are you overcoming them?
Working with great people who want to innovate and continuing to offer the best we can in what we do! We set our standards very high, but ultimately we love what we do and feel privileged to continually have the opportunity to work with a fantastic array of current artists.
G: What would you say has been your most memorable experience while developing your business?
Our roster of artists now reads like a who’s who of the screen printing world, spanning the globe from Sheffield to Sao Paulo. Our knowledge and technical expertise comes from being one of the first Edition Houses and physical spaces in London to sell the work of pioneering street and emerging graphic print artists. Or possibly finding our Nelly mascot at a degree show, just after we first opened in 2006; a wall mounted waxwork, featuring real human hair and glass eyed hag, we named Nelly! She hangs proudly in the gallery watching over all of us, come and check her out!
G: Why do you choose Shoreditch to run your business in?
10 years ago we were just drawn to the area like a huge James Bond Magnet…Shoreditch was and is such a vibrant area! Brilliant street art surrounds you everywhere you turned and continues despite the Olympics… The area is a creative Mecca and is so culturally diverse but traditionally English at the same time. The whole area is such an experience – this is Nelly Duff’s natural home…
G: How would you describe the art scene in Shoreditch/East London?
Its in constant flux. Street meets fine art meets homemade meets Uber design and tech… If you feel like you want a bit of inspiration, just jump on a bicycle and do a tour of the little clusters of neighbourhood and we dare you to not to come away inspired..
G: What is your view about the recent development of Shoreditch?
High street brands have long been in the Spitalfields area, and Redchurch Street sells designer clothes next to exclusive members clubs. I’m sure it will continue to change the area but I think East London residents will continue to fight and innovative for the area and the architecture we love, most big brands tend to just copy but hopefully here there are inspired to make their own contribution.
G: What are your favourite places in Shoreditch?
The amazing flower market on a Sunday…Campania on Columbia Road- for coffee. Val’s Sandwich bar on Columbia Road – probably oldest sandwich shop in the east end! bagel bake on brick lane, hackney city farm and just riding around the streets….
G: What does the future has in store for Shoreditch?
CHANGE…I hope ignorant, greedy or careless developers don’t knock down all the old buildings for bland high density replacements, they need to use the creativity with in the community to make inspirational buildings… There are obviously lots of effects from the Olympics development in Stratford, we will look forward to exhibiting some amazing art at Nelly Duff from our area to the international visitors later this summer. Are we like California or Cornwall wanting to surf and entertain our way into the future ; ) Long live the creative inclusive spirit of Shoreditch!!
Find us on: 
Website: www.nellyduff.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nellyduff
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Nelly–Duff/132328550138049
Blog: www.thedailyduff.blogspot.com/
