THE AUTUMN ART FAIR SEASON is finally upon us…
Gather knowledge… Visit galleries, museums, art and craft fairs… Read books and magazines. Take workshops. Use your senses. Experience stimulates your memory and imagination. — Nita Leland
Image courtesy of Affordable Art Fair
October is traditionally the month when most of the autumn art fairs take place, and this year is no exception. It is good to see the season re-establishing itself, after two years of restrictions, with both the traditional offerings of Frieze, Affordable, The Other Art Fair, StART, Kunst, Zurich and the British Art Fair at the Saatchi Gallery to name but a few.
Courtesy of Deniz Guzel/Frieze
Frieze London was founded in 2003 and is one of the world’s most influential contemporary art fairs, focusing only on art created post 2000. This year it takes place between 12 – 16 October in The Regent’s Park, in the heart of London. The fair’s exhibiting galleries represent some of the most exciting artists working today, from the emerging to the iconic, showcased by world-leading independent curators. In conjunction with Frieze London, Frieze Masters, which shows work pre-2000, and Frieze Sculpture, outdoor works located in The Regent’s Park’s English Gardens, will also be on display. Nb Frieze Sculpture is free and open to all from mid-September until mid-November. This promises to be exciting and in true Frieze fashion a little quirky, I’m sure.
Chamnan Chongpaiboon, Vigga, Spence Gallery
Seny, Zengi, Modus Gallery
Myung Nam An, individual ceramics, Cube Gallery
Magnus Gjoen, That Dog Won’t Hurt II, Liberty Gallery
Another firm favourite of mine that I’m pleased to see return in full force is the Affordable Art Fair, back in leafy Battersea this autumn between 19 – 23 October. A mainstay of the Art Fair scene since 1999, AAF now hold fairs in ten cities around the world and each year welcomes over 185,000 art enthusiasts globally. Packed with inspiring art to stir the senses, you will be spoiled for choice and all under the fair ceiling price of £7,500.
“I am proud to be bringing together over 110+ galleries from all corners of the globe, in tandem with a full programme that upholds the core values of what we stand for. Good art at accessible price points, variety across subject matters and media, and a continuation of our dedication to supporting up-and-coming artistic talent through curated sections. Roll-on October, you’re in for a treat!”
— Hugo Barclay, Fair Director
West End House Gallery are regular exhibitors at AAF Battersea. The contemporary gallery of original artwork, located in the historic village of Smarden in Kent, is run by two local artists Karen Papworth and Patricia Hawkins (Spike and Pia).
Image courtesy of Affordable Art Fair
“The excitement as a country gallery to be offered a place at the AAF in Battersea is enormous. To be one of over 120 UK and international contemporary galleries represented at such an event and to be able to promote and introduce our artists to a much wider audience is a huge privilege and indeed a responsibility. We have taken part five times.”
— Patricia Hawkins
The Other Art Fair, as its name suggests, is something a little different from Frieze and AAF, which are dominated by galleries and curators. The Other Art Fair is primarily an artist led event; an exciting showcase for independent artists and a chance for would-be collectors, and those discovering art for the first time, to buy affordable pieces directly from the next generation of artists. Many artists cut their teeth by showing at the Other Art Fair before going on to be represented by major galleries, so if you want to discover an artist before they hit the big time, get along to the Truman Brewery, Shoreditch between 13 – 16 October!
Founded in 1988, British Art Fair is the only fair dedicated to Modern and Contemporary British Art. Britain’s leading dealers exhibit work from artistic movements of the past 100 years: from the early modernists to the YBAs to contemporary art. Most of the great names of 20th century British art are represented alongside their contemporaries. This is a boutique event of the highest quality. The fair is elegantly staged throughout three floors of London’s iconic Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea between 29 September – 2 October 2022. New events this year include Solo Contemporary, a curated platform where ten cutting-edge dealers each show the work of one contemporary British artist and an auction in aid of British Art Fair’s 2022 charity, WaterAid will take place.
This autumn, the art fair season certainly promises to offer something for all tastes and budgets. And for those who simply like to observe, you can’t beat an art fair café for quality people watching!
Written by Lesley Samms MSc ANLP MAC FRSA Founder of Pure Arts Group.
Images courtesy of Frieze Art Fair www.friezeartfair.com
Images courtesy of Affordable Art Fair www.affordableartfair.com
