London Art Fair returns to the capital from 21st-25th January 2026, bringing together a curated selection of leading Modern and Contemporary galleries from the UK and around the world.
Now in its 38th year, the Fair remains a trusted destination for collectors and art enthusiasts to discover new work, connect and invest at the start of the international art calendar.
This year’s Museum Partner is the National Trust, which will present surrealist and post-war abstract artworks from the collections of two modernist London homes: 2 Willow Road, the residence of Ernő Goldfinger, and The Homewood, home of architect Patrick Gwynne, offering a unique curatorial perspective on modernist experimentation and design.
Curated by art historian Dr Ferren Gipson, the 2026 edition of Platform, titled The Unexpected, explores artists pushing the boundaries of materiality and process to challenge conventional ideas of art-making. Meanwhile, Encounters brings together a roster of emerging and international galleries – with exhibitors from Mexico, Turkey, Japan, and France – introducing fresh perspectives and new voices to the London market.
Curated
Through its curated sections, special collaborations, and thought-provoking talks programme, London Art Fair 2026 reaffirms its role as a cornerstone of the UK art market – a place to discover notable pieces, deepen existing connections, and kick off the collecting season with purpose.
Continuing London Art Fair’s tradition of displaying exemplary works of Modern art, the galleries at the main Fair will present work by household names from 20th Century art history such as Francis Bacon, Barbara Hepworth, William Kentridge, Louise Bourgeois and Frank Auerbach. The Fair will see the return of its longstanding exhibiting galleries bringing Modern British art including Christopher Kingzett Fine Art, Austin Desmond Fine Art, and Redfern Gallery. Among this year’s highlights is a display by Advanced Graphics, celebrating the centenary of influential Scottish painter Craigie Aitchison’s birth, and a signature work by highly distinguished sculptor Lynn Chadwick presented by leading sculpture gallery Pangolin London as well as a powerful fresh to market painting from the 1950s by Bryan Kneale the highly regarded Royal Academician.
The presence of surrealist art amongst the exhibitors is notable, and reflects a growing trend in the market for 20th century art. A recent report by Art Tactic found that auction sales for Classic Surrealists increased 131.6% from 2018 to 2024 and sales for Contemporary Surrealists rose 264.8% in that period.
LONDON ART FAIR – 21-25 January 2026 (Press Preview 20th January)
Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH
Full ticket types and prices at: www.londonartfair.co.uk/tickets
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