One of London’s best loved art fairs returns for its major autumn edition this October, presenting the best in affordable contemporary art from all over the world. The Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Autumn takes place at Battersea Park, London from 19th-22nd October 2023.
· Over 100 leading galleries will showcase a huge variety of artwork in all media, from original painting to photography, mixed media to sculpture. There’s something for every art lover to enjoy, with prices capped from £50 – £7,500
· The fair sets its sights on the next generation of artists, with the return of its annual Recent Graduates Exhibition and a special partnership with youth charity Arts Emergency
· Abstract artist Matt Dosa fronts the fair’s advertising campaign, with exciting new pieces planned for the fair
· Tickets go on sale on 16 August. Subscribers of Affordable Art Fair UK’s newsletter will be first to hear news, and snap up exclusive early bird offers
Partnership
This October, Battersea Park will once again transform into a hub of creativity as Affordable Art Fair returns for its major autumn edition, packed with over 100 leading galleries from across the UK and all over the world, and 1,000s of artworks from living artists, both established and rising stars. The return of their annual Recent Graduates Exhibition will offer the unique opportunity to discover and invest in the next generation of artists before they become household names.
Full programme information and exhibiting galleries are still to be announced, but visitors can expect an amazing array of contemporary art, alongside special commissions, Art After Dark at the fair’s signature fun filled Lates, curated edits of works under £500 and under £1,000 to help visitors find the perfect artwork on a budget, activities for little art lovers at Family Hour and much more.
The bold, colourful work of Matt Dosa is the star of the Battersea Autumn campaign, which will be popping up across London later this year. Matt is an abstract artist from North London whose mixed-media works span paintings, sculptures, prints and large scale murals. All his creations are marked out by a characteristic playfulness, filled with colour and geometric patterns that echo his London home. He has produced commissions for the NHS, Mayor of London and the charities Centre Point and Single Homeless Project, and most recently was commissioned to design the artwork concept for Universal Music’s infamous BRITs after-party. Matt is represented by After Nyne Contemporary, who regularly exhibit at the Affordable Art Fairs in London. His debut solo show was held in December 2022 in London’s Kings Cross.
Next Generation Talent
Affordable Art Fair is dedicated to championing the next generation of artists, and every year provides over £100,000 of in-kind support to nurture and develop artists’ careers, through mentoring and development, curation support, and donated exhibition space, as well as connecting artists to thousands of interested collectors. This year’s Recent Graduates Exhibition will present work from a selection of top artists coming out of the UK’s art schools, brought together around a theme set by curator Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf and Fair Director Hugo Barclay. All works in the exhibition will be available to buy, offering an unrivalled opportunity to discover cutting edge pieces, and support emerging talent before they become household names.
Fair Director Hugo Barclay says: “It’s an exciting privilege to be able to visit art school showcases all around the UK, and we are once again blown away by what we’re seeing from the next generation. It will be a difficult process to narrow down to just a handful of artists for the exhibition, but curator Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf and I can’t wait to share what will be an amazingly talented group of young artists with audiences in Battersea.”
Alongside the exhibition, the fair is also welcoming a special charity partner in Arts Emergency, set up by comedian Josie Long and activist Neil Griffiths in 2013 to address the need for better access to the arts and creative industries. For over 10 years they have helped young people without connections follow their passions and navigate their way into the creative and cultural sectors. The charity provides 16 – 25 year-olds with a combined long-term programme of mentorship, networking and real-world opportunities. Arts Emergency will be presenting an exhibition of works for sale at Battersea Autumn, gifted from across both organisations’ prestigious network of artists, all in solidarity with the charity’s aim: making sure all young people have a fair shot at a life in the arts.
The team at Arts Emergency says: “We’re so excited to be working with the Affordable Art Fair – who have helped democratised owning art for nearly 25 years – to help raise awareness of our work. Through this partnership we hope to encourage people who love the arts and who value creativity and imagination to join us in helping to open doors in the creative and cultural industries; to fight against cuts to arts education and the general devaluing of the arts and humanities. Visitors to the fair will be able to support our mission in a number of ways; whether that’s buying an artwork from us, or signing up to mentor a young artist, gallerist, or curator on our programme.”
Partners
Partners include JM Finn, leading wealth and investment experts, Fair Charity Arts Emergency, London’s hottest new hotel, art’otel London Battersea Power Station (just a stone’s throw from the fair, with impressive views of the Thames) and boutique gin from Spirit Partner Silent Pool Gin.
Private View: Wednesday 18 October, VIP Preview 4pm, Private View 5 – 9pm
Public Opening Times: Thursday 19 October – Sunday 22 October
Age Restriction: All Evening Events 18+ only At other times, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Ticket Prices: from £10 – £27 (under 16s free, booking required)
Tickets to go on sale 16 August
Age Restriction: All Evening Events 18+ only; at other times, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult
https://affordableartfair.com
See also: Noj Barker’s Art and Lounge at Heathrow
