PARTY LIKE IT’S 1999: AFFORDABLE ART FAIR CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF BRINGING ART TO THE MASSES
- Affordable Art Fair celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Autumn Fair, 17-20 October in Battersea Park, London
- The Fair has welcomed 2.5 million visitors worldwide who have discovered the joy of buying art in a fun and approachable setting – spending over £363m in art sales!
- The Battersea Autumn Fair will host a series of 90s-inspired talks and workshops to celebrate the anniversary alongside 1,000s of contemporary artworks priced between £50 - £6,000
- For images please visit: https://mediacentre.kallaway.com/affordable-art-fair/image-library
Affordable Art Fair will celebrate 20 years of revolutionising and democratising the art market at the Battersea Autumn Fair, 17-20 October 2019. With 13 fairs in 10 cities across the globe in 2019, the Fair has now welcomed over 2.5 million visitors to enjoy its fun and accessible approach to buying art worldwide.
At a time when 57% of dealers have seen their sales decline in the last year according to The Art Market 2019 released by Art Basel and UBS in March 2019, the average value of art sales per gallery increased by 10% for Affordable Art Fair exhibitors in 2018.
The Affordable Art Fair in numbers:
- 485,000 artworks have been taken home globally by visitors, the equivalent of redecorating the National Gallery 210 times over
- 485,000 red sold stickers, enough to fill 20 Trafalgar Squares
- 36,000 living artists exhibited at the UK Fairs across 20 years, roughly the population of a small town in the UK
Will Ramsay founded the Fair in 1999 with a distinct emphasis on accessibility, education and innovation to ensure a relaxed, fun and engaging atmosphere for anyone to purchase their own piece of art. Fast forward 20 years and this October it will welcome its one millionth UK visitor through the doors at Battersea Autumn, a testament to the ethos at the very heart of the Fair. From one local event in Battersea Park to a global enterprise, this year also sees the launch of its 14thfair in Melbourne (6-8 September), taking affordable art to a new continent.
Since 1999, the Affordable Art Fair has donated £1.6m of stand space and advice to emerging artists across the globe. With alumni as diverse as artists Rana Begum, Andrew Salgado and Olivia Kemp, all of who caught their first big break at the Fair, the Affordable Art Fair continues to make waves in the art world two decades later by championing graduate artists and pushing boundaries.
Will Ramsay, Founder, says: “In 1999, I opened the doors to the very first Affordable Art Fair, showcasing works priced between £50 – £2,500 from a pool of over 150 relatively unknown artists. Over the past two decades, each fair has developed its own distinct character and offers a diverse range to suit all tastes, styles and wallets. What remains constant is the emphasis on accessibility, education and innovation, to ensure a fun day out surrounded by great, affordable art is had by all!”
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Fair Information
Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, Queenstown Road, SW11 4NJ: 17-20 October
Charity Private View, Wednesday 16 October 2019: 17.30 - 21.30
Late View: Thursday 17 October 2019 11.00 - 21.00
Friday 18 October 2019: 11.00 - 19.00
Saturday 19 October 2019: 11.00 - 18.00
Sunday 20 October 2019: 11.00 - 18.00
Notes to Editors
Members of the press interested in writing about the fair are welcome to visit for free with a press pass, please use code and visit the Press Desk on arrival: ARTPRESS
About Affordable Art Fair
The Affordable Art Fair has revolutionised and democratised the art market with its fun and
accessible approach, bringing art under £6,000 to London three times a year in Battersea Park and on Hampstead Heath, as well as an online shop. 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 concept has become a global phenomenon with 13 fairs in 10 cities across several continents.
Fair Founder Will Ramsay and UK Regional Managing Director Jennifer Conner are available for comment and interview.
About JM Finn: the official wealth management partner for the 20th anniversary edition of the Affordable Art Fair
JM Finn is a wealth management firm that provide a personalised approach to investment and wealth management for today’s private investors, by placing a dedicated investment manager as the central point of contact for all clients, with portfolios starting from £20,000.
With over 100 investment professionals, JM Finn has funds under management and administration of £9.5 billion on behalf of over 18,500 clients (as at June 30th 2019). The firm is headquartered in London and has four regional offices around the country in Bristol, Leeds, East Anglia and Cardiff.
JM Finn is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
About Dorsett Hospitality International
Dorsett Hospitality International is present in 27 cities with 56 properties. Established in Hong Kong in January 2007, the brand now operates in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Australia, the UK and Europe. The finest Hong Kong-inspired hospitality is founded on integrity, inspiration, innovation and initiative. Dorsett Discoveriesenriches the guest experience with curated local knowledge on the best places to eat,play and love in every vibrant city where our hotels are. www.dorsett.com.