London Art Fair 2012: Discover art pieces from more than 120 galleries

Britain’s biggest contemporary art show, the London Art Fair, will be running from January 18th to 22nd at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington.

The London Art Fair features two floors of paintings, photography and sculptures by artists worldwide. Each room is designed to create a unique atmosphere based on the art exhibited. From the powerful to the innocent to the indescribable, over 120 rooms fit any mood possible.

From photographed medicine cabinets at £3,000, butterfly paintings at £45,000 to a wall filled with Petri dishes at £2,000, there’s a piece of art for everyone.

Highlights of the 24^th London Art Fair include the Main Fair, Art Projects, Photo50, Outdoor Sculptures, Bloomsbury Auctions and Tours, Talks and Discussions.

Main Fair

Works from more than 120 major galleries will be showing this year. Galleries from across the UK and overseas will be exhibiting work from over 1,000 artists from the early 20^th Century to the present day.

Art Projects

Art Projects features solo shows, curated group displays, performance events and a programme of experimental film and video (all by contemporary artists). Alongside the 2011 Art Projects events, new galleries include: Alma Enterprises, Beers Lambert Contemporary Art, Hannah Barry Gallery, Michael Klein Arts and many more.

A feature of Art Projects includes the Limited Editions section. With both public and commercial gallery showings, art lovers are offered an affordable way to start a collection of up-and-coming and high-profile artists from as little as £50.

Photo50

A showcase for contemporary photography, Photo50 features The New Alchemists: Contemporary Photographers Transcending the Print by Sue Steward. The 50 works curated by Steward’s include artists: Esther Teichmann, David Birkin, Julie Cockburn and Michael Wolf.

Outdoor Sculptures

The show must go on! The London Art Fair may end on 22^nd January, but sculptures by Paul Vanstone and Joel Gray will be on display outside the Business Design Centre until the 25^th of January. Black to Black by Vanstone and Sunglasses by Gray both incorporate Belgian black marble (the only pure black marble in the world) and Vigaria Portuguese marble.

Bloomsbury Auctions

To remember the late Craigie Aitchison, Bloomsbury Auctions will be selling contents from Aitchison’s studio and items from his estate. The sale will be a great opportunity for fans to acquire paintings and personal items from his studio and homes in London and Italy. Works from the sale can be viewed by appointment, in the Collectors’ Lounge at the London Art Fair.

Tours, Talks and Discussions

An extensive programme of talks and critical debates will be taking place at the London Art Fair, in association with the Contemporary Arts Society, the Whitechapel Gallery and The Arts Desk. Daily tours of the Main Fair and Art Projects will also be included. There will be no extra cost for this part of the London Art Fair.

Jonathan Burton, director of the London Art Fair, said “The Fair brings together the best of modern British art, major figures such as Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, LS Lowry, leading contemporary artists and emerging talents.”

London Art Fair tickets are now on sale for £11 (plus £1.50 booking fee) in advance, or £16 for tickets at the door. This includes a copy of the 2012 Fair Guide (to be collected at the fair). For advanced bookings and opening times, visit the London Art Fair website.

 

Zanib Asghar
Photos: Alessio Paratore