ONE MONTH TO GO UNTIL AFFORDABLE ART FAIR IS BACK IN BATTERSEA
- Affordable Art Fair returns to Battersea Park, 21–24 October with an impressive line-up of emerging and established galleries, alongside entertainment and installations for an art aficionado’s dream day, or night, out.
- Curated graduate works by artist and designer Pascal Anson; don’t miss the chance to bag works from breakthrough artists before they become household names.
- Savvy art buyers should check out the dedicated wall of artworks for £500 and under!
- Not to be missed is Fluid Form, a sculptural, interactive installation by Violeta Maya and Persiis Hajiyanni which will allow visitors to experience the transformative power of water and reflect on the theme of solitude post-pandemic, specially commissioned by the world’s most awarded gin Martin Miller’s Gin, Official Drinks Partner.
- Sharing the Affordable Art Fair’s vision to make art collecting accessible to all, wealth management firm JM Finnare once again Lead Partner of the Fair, bringing their expert investment and wealth advice to Battersea visitors.
- Martin Miller’s Gin will debut as the Fair’s new Official Drinks Partner with a series of educational and inspiring masterclasses and tastings with its global brand ambassador, creative themed bar installations and a genius surrealist-inspired gin serve.
- Family Hour is back from 10am Saturday and Sunday with savings on group tickets.
- All tickets must be booked in advance, at https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/london-battersea-autumn/
- Images: https://mediacentre.kallaway.com/affordable-art-fair/image-library
With just a month to go until Evolution London swings open its doors to welcome the Affordable Art Fair, there’s so much to get excited about. Running from 21-24 October, visitors will be welcomed by over 100 local and international galleries, with a huge array of contemporary artworks to suit every taste, whether you’re looking for bold and bright or suave and subtle, larger than life or delicately detailed. It’s the perfect chance to get closer to art, and revel in the remarkable output of this international creative community.
What to see this year:
Glorious Graduates
The Affordable Art Fair has teamed up with designer and artist Pascal Anson to select the standout artists coming out of the UK’s top art schools this year in the Fair’s Recent Graduates showcase, entitled ‘Seeing the Extraordinary’.
Championing exciting, emerging artistic talent, the collection has secured a reputation as one of the best places to view and purchase breakthrough work as it debuts to market. With past editions featuring the likes of Rana Begum, Carl Randall and Andrew Salgado, it’s the perfect chance to snap up a future star – before they’re a household name!
Be sure to check out Bokani Tshidzu, a Zimbabwean-British multi-disciplinary artist and recent graduate of Goldsmiths’ London. With a background in sustainability reporting, her practice addresses themes of climate justice and patterns of inter-connectedness, combining computer vision with contemporary abstract painting to create digital prints, paintings and installations.
Photographer Amanda Gordon, a recent graduate of Brighton University, is also a must-see. Her work re-presents everyday materials and domestic objects to examine the intrinsic fragility of matter and being, and the boundary of existence and death. These everyday materials are transformed into the ‘other’; no longer identifiable, existing ambiguously in both state and space.
The Art Out of Isolation Commission, Fluid Form
Be the first to step into Fluid Form, a new immersive installation exploring the transformative power of water. Created by artists Violeta Maya and Persiis Hajiyanni, the installation is the result of a special Art Out of Isolation commission from Martin Miller’s Gin, Official Drinks Partner for Battersea Autumn. Made from hand-blown glass and incorporating ice sculptures that transform from solid to liquid creating playful movements of light, Commissioned during lockdown and created as the world emerges, Fluid Form invites visitors to consider the pandemic isolation – whether positive or negative – addressing issues of solitude, change, peace, quiet and creativity, whilst providing a moment for stillness and reflection amongst the busyness of the fair.
New kids on the block
New exhibitors this edition include Ancel Gallery, dedicated to supporting emerging artists, China Impressions, specialising in beautiful woodblock prints from The Great Northern Wilderness School of China, Parisian street art specialists Modus Gallery, NewingerART, established in London in 2020, and Pencil Tree Gallery from Bath, bringing a range of colour-popping landscapes.
Magical Masterclasses
Over the course of the week, Martin Miller’s Gin masterclasses will be taking place with Brand Ambassador, Rory O’Sullivan. These will form an introduction to the history of Martin Miller’s Gin brought to life with the assistance of magician Jake Banfield. The masterclasses will offer visitors to the fair the opportunity to discover and taste the range of Martin Miller’s Gins, learning about the brand's unique and innovative history, in a guided 30-minute experience. For Friday Fair-ticket-holders only. Places limited.
Astonishing Art!
Affordable Art Fair has been revolutionising the artworld for over 20 years, and pride themselves on presenting great art at affordable prices for all. This edition is no different – with works for every budget, from £50-£6000, and featuring a specially-curated hang of stunning works under £500. Top tip! These pieces can sell out, so they recommend getting to the Fair early to snap them up.
Surreal Serve
Official Drinks Partner Martin Miller’s Gin is blended with the purest Icelandic spring water and is known for its smooth, silky taste. Their brand mantra is ‘From madness to genius’ so it’s only fitting that their Battersea bars will be inspired by Surrealist art - expect a treat for the eyes as well as the tastebuds! You can enjoy their signature award-winning gin in a range of delicious cocktails and serves including the ‘Bubble Bramble’, created especially for the fair and inspired by Katharina Jung’s surreal artwork, I’ll only fly away.
Family Hour for arty parents to bring the buggy and enjoy an exclusive shopping experience
Family Hour returns from 10 – 11am each day at the weekend, allowing exclusive early entry for families to enjoy the Fair without the crowds. Families can buy group tickets for discounted entry. Collect an exciting activity pack from the Information Desk to help keep the kids entertained too.
Planning your visit
Affordable Art Fair, alongside the venue, Evolution London in Battersea Park, is committed to making visiting as safe as possible. The Fair aims to deliver the art-filled and fun experience while maintaining a safe environment in line with the UK Government’s latest advice on indoor gatherings. For more information, please visit:https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/london-battersea-autumn/creating-a-safe-fair/
Tickets are available to book online in advance of the event at: https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/london-battersea-autumn/
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Press information
Fair Founder Will Ramsay, UK Fair Director Elizabeth Dellert and UK Regional Managing Director Jennifer Conner, are available for interviews ahead of the Fair on topics including investing in art, choosing art for the home, making art accessible to all, supporting the UK’s creative sector and being one of the first major events to bounce back in London – following the success of Battersea Summer in July 2021.
All media questions, including Fair press pass requests, reviews, interview and images to:
Kallaway
Email: aaf@kallaway.com
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 221 7883
Press images: https://mediacentre.kallaway.com/affordable-art-fair/image-library
Notes to editors
Battersea Autumn
Evolution London, Battersea Park, Queenstown Road, SW11 4NJ
21-24th October
- Wednesday 20 October – Private View 5.30-9.30pm | Complimentary wine from Ramon Bilbao and drinks provided by Official Partner, Martin Miller’s Gin.
- Thursday 21 October – General Public Opening – 11am-5.30pm
- Thursday 21 October – Late View – 5.30pm-9.30pm | Complimentary wine from Ramon Bilbao and drinks provided by Official Partner, Martin Miller’s Gin.
- Friday 22 October – General Opening 11am-9.30pm
- Saturday 23 October – Family Hour, 10-11am |general opening, 11am – 6pm
- Sunday 24 October – Family Hour, 10-11am | general opening, 11am – 6pm
About Affordable Art Fair
Established in 1999, the Affordable Art Fair has revolutionised and democratised the art market with its fun and accessible approach, bringing art under £6,000 to buyers around the world. In a usual year, around 230,000 art-lovers visit an Affordable Art Fair in one of 10 cities around the world, including three fairs each year in London in Battersea and Hampstead. Every fair offers something different, with a diverse range of local, national and international galleries showcasing art in an array of styles. Pieces by household names sit alongside the latest emerging talent. The online marketplace now hosts 250 galleries offering 25,000 artworks, with sales regularly shipping to 16 markets.
Affordableartfair.com
About JM Finn – Lead Partner
JM Finn is a wealth management firm that seeks to provide a personalised approach to investment and wealth management for today’s private investors and their advisers, by placing a dedicated investment manager as the central point of contact for all clients.
With over 100 investment professionals, JM Finn look after more than £11 billion on behalf of over 18,500 clients (as of 30 June 2021). The firm is headquartered in London and has four regional offices around the country in Bristol, Bury St Edmunds, Leeds and Winchester.
JM Finn is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Jmfinn.com
About Martin Miller’s Gin – Official Drinks Partner
Martin Miller’s Gin was founded out of a ‘mad’ idea to create the world’s best gin. It was the first super premium gin on the market in 1999, effectively triggering the gin renaissance we know today. Co-Founders Martin Miller, David Bromige and Andreas Versteegh, challenged the convention of traditional gin production with a unique dual distillation process and dual heritage – liquid distilled in England from the finest botanicals then blended with the world’s purest water from Iceland. This inspirational story of transformation found in Martin Miller’s Gin holds a close affinity with the artistic process. From an outlandish vision, a liquid masterpiece was born - From Madness To Genius. Today Martin Miller’s Gin is the most awarded gin brand in the world for its quality.
Martinmillersgin.com
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