Earlier today we popped into East London's Unit5 Gallery to catch up with UK based artist Edwin and US based street artist Don't Fret. Both were busy at work putting the finishing touches to some last minutes pieces ahead of their upcoming joint exhibition 'The Distinct Sound of Laughter In The Distance' opening at Unit5 Gallery on the 10th November 2016.


Over the past year, the two artist have been sharing and swapping ideas and text between their home towns of Chicago and London across social media, and then spraying each of these messages across walls in each artist's respective city. What began as a "graffiti pen pal project" expanded with the events of 2016. The UK’s Brexit vote, the turmoil of the US Presidential Election, the Refugee Crisis, each of these events have served to influence this project about a world that is so connected, yet so disconnected. We are more capable than ever of communicating with one another, yet perhaps the least capable of actually learning from that exchange. Hence, ‘The Distinct Sound of Laughter in the Distance’. This year-long project culminates in the exhibition of new works include paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics and some unique one-off installations from the two artists.

  Artworks laid out on the floor ready to go up onto the walls ahead of The Distinct Sound of Laughter In The Distance show at Unit5 Gallery.
A number of Edwin's drawings ready to be framed. Edwin putting the finishing touches to some of the work set to go on display at the exhibition.

Book Release
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Order are now been taken online for their new collaborative limited edition publication The Distinct Sound of Laughter In The Distance, released to coincide with the exhibition and documenting the exchange between them. The first 50 online orders will be signed by both artists plus the first 100 online orders will automatically be entered into competition for a chance to win an original drawing by the two artists. The new publication 'The Distinct Sound of Laughter In The Distance' is priced at £12.50 via the Unit5 Gallery Shop.



A video from Edwin for his collaborative exhibition with Don't Fret: The Distinct Sound Of Laughter In The Distance. (Video shot by Doug @ Fifthwalltv)

  A video from Don't Fret for his collaborative exhibition with Edwin: The Distinct Sound Of Laughter In The Distance. (Video shot by Chris Geick).

Exhibition Details 
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The Distinct Sound of Laughter In The Distance - a collaborative show by Dont Fret & Edwin opens with a private view and Artist Q&A this Thursday 10th November 7 — 9pm.
Dates: Exhibition opens this 10th November until 2nd December.
Location: Unit 5 Gallery, The Yard, Yorkton Street, London, E2 8NH