LONDON ART FAIR MAKES A TRIUMPHANT RETURN WITH ITS 35TH EDITION
London Art Fair makes a triumphant return with its 35th edition
18 - 22 January 2023
Images: https://mediacentre.kallaway.com/london-art-fair
London Art Fair enjoyed a successful return to the capital from 18 – 22 January with strong attendance of buyers and collectors ready to invest in Modern and Contemporary art from over 100 leading exhibiting galleries from around the world, representing Belgium, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the UK. The Fair saw a strong bounceback with this edition being the first with no Covid-19 related restrictions since the January 2020 edition.
Sarah Monk, Director of London Art Fair, said: “We were thrilled that this year’s Fair could take place in its traditional January slot, launching the international art calendar once again with an exceptional and fresh collection of Modern and Contemporary Art. We are incredibly grateful to our galleries, sponsors and partners for their continuing support and invaluable contribution which has allowed us to deliver this 2023 edition and such a wonderful experience for all.”
Alongside many returning galleries including Osborne Samuel, GBS Fine Art, Piano Nobile, and Purdy Hicks Gallery, London Art Fair welcomed a host of new exhibitors from overseas and the UK. New international galleries included Iceland's foremost fine arts dealership Gallery Fold and Art Gallery O68 from the Netherlands. New UK-based galleries for 2023 includedWilloughby Gerrish, Koop Projects and Cactus Moon Studio.
This year’s talks program also featured the unveiling of an exclusive limited-edition print by Cartographer and artist Adam Dant during the TAG Fine Arts’ talk in conversation with Dant and Will Palin, CEO of Barts Heritage. Adam has collaborated with Barts Heritage to produce a commemorative piece documenting 900 years of St Bartholomew’s Hospital as part of this year’s anniversary celebrations. The talk detailed the commission, the hospital’s major renovation plans for 2023, and the launch of Dant’s print which wassold via TAG Fine Arts at the Fair in support of Barts Heritage.
HIGHLIGHT SALES
Figurative artwork proved popular at this year’s event. Long & Ryle sold multiple pieces of work by Spanish artists Ramiro Fernandez Saus, whilst Tin Man Art reported lots of positive interest and sales of the figurative works they presented by Catherine Anholt and Marie Elizabeth Merlin.
Sculptures also sold well at this year’s Fair, including a Henry Moore sculpture which sold for circa £40,000 at Thomas Spencer Fine Art and Lynn Chadwick’s Conjunction XII which sold for over £100,000 at Goodman Fine Art, Zuleika Gallery sold a Robert Adams for circa £10,000, and pieces by the emigre artists Peter Lazlo Peri and Dora Gordine selling via Architectural Heritage.
Galleries specialising in Modern Art, a key component of the Fair, reported healthy sales. Osborne Samuel Gallery sold a Keith Vaughan painting for circa £100,000. Hidden Gallery reported one of their most successful Fairs to date selling a piece by Andy Warhol, a number of Hockney limited edition works on the final day, and arguably one of Banky's most iconic and sought after limited edition signed printsalso sold to a notable collector. Christopher Kingzett sold Walter Sickert’s The Painter and His Model for around £75,000 and Hockney’s Portrait of Henry Geldzahler for in the region of £30,000.
Contemporary painting and printmaking proved popular at the Fair, drawing in sales of a Bridget Riley piece at Tanya Baxter Contemporary and resulting in London-based Elizabeth Xi Bauer experiencing a sell-out booth.
On the opening day, Jealous Gallery released their latest David Shrigley print at London Art Fair yet again, an annual cornerstone in their calendar. This year’s print was Shrigley’s Extract The Juice from Everything, 2023 which experienced great sales.
CURATED SECTIONS
London Art Fair continued to reflect contemporary practice and collecting trends within the art world through its critically-acclaimed program curated in collaboration with leading experts.
For their 9th museum partnership, London Art Fair worked with London’s Ben Uri Gallery and Museum to showcase a collection of paintings and sculptures focused on the immigrant experience. The collection spoke to Ben Uri’s origin, including rich contributions to British art made by prominent Jewish artists such as Frank Auerbach’s Mornington Crescent, Summer Morning II and David Bomberg’s Racehorses and enjoyed huge engagement and opened up Ben Uri’s collection and digitisation initiative to thousands.
This year’s Fair marked the launch of the Encounters section, curated by Pryle Berhman. Formerly Art Projects, Encounters was a curated space where the two meanings of the word ‘encounter’ meet. Often unexpected, encounters can lead to the discovery of an unknown artist; an encounter can also suggest a confrontation between opposing positions and artworks that challenge entrenched views and understandings. The section showcased emerging artists from galleries such as VirginiaVisualArts, Janet Rady Fine Art and Koop Projects and brought together works from across the globe presenting pieces from Montreal-based Art Mur, Black Dwarf from Poland and Brussels-based Shame Gallery who experienced lots of positive interest, selling sculptural work by Nathan French.
For the 5th edition of Platform, art historian and author Ruth Millington presented a collection of galleries whose artists reframed the muse as an empowered and active agent in the story of art. This year’s edition of Platform, titled Reframing the Muse, invited viewers to consider the instrumental role played by diverse, real-life individuals, past and present, beyond the frame in which they are immortalised. Cynthia Corbett Gallery, who featured within Platform, were pleased to report that their pieces by burgeoning artists Felix Chesher, Ashley January, and Ramon Omolaja Adeyemi sold before the close of opening night - the sale of Felix Chesher’s wordle was especially of note given that the painting was created especially for Reframing the Muse and was finalised just three days before London Art Fair 2023 opened its doors.
The Fair’s critical forum for examining distinctive elements in contemporary photography, Photo50 presented the work of a group of multigenerational women and non-binary photographers whose practice engages with their Black and diasporic heritage. The exhibition, curated by Katy Barron and Pelumi Odubanjo, included works from the 1980s through to the present day and presented diverse imagery by artists that reflected their histories and personal ideas of home and identity and featured photographers such as Bernice Mulenga and Heather Agyepong. Epitomising Beautiful Experiments’ message was the Home, Memory and Diaspora, Searching for Homeplace talk on Photography Focus Day which was part of London Art Fair’s vibrant and well-attended 2023 talks program.
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS:
PRESS CONTACT
For further information please contact Kallaway:londonartfair@kallaway.com
Telephone: 07867794989
ABOUT LONDON ART FAIR
London Art Fair was founded in 1989 by London’s Business Design Centre in Islington – where the Fair still takes place today – with the aim of providing a space to showcase exceptional Modern and Contemporary Art, to discover and to buy. Launching with just 36 UK galleries, the Fair has grown steadily over the years with well over 100 galleries now regularly exhibiting.
The Fair provides a home for Modern British Art, as well as, embracing an increasingly international and contemporary outlook, with new galleries from around the world expanding our offer and reach – these now make up 25% of our exhibitors, and continue to grow.
The London Art Fair nurtures collecting at all levels, from prints and editions starting in the hundreds, to major works by internationally renowned artists including works by Grayson Perry, Bridget Riley, Henry Moore, and David Bomberg.
Providing a platform for nurturing talent the London Art Fair has played host to acclaimed artists early in their career as well as established names, with Chris Ofili and Jenny Saville awarded ‘rising star’ awards at the 1996 edition.
The Fair’s extensive gallery line up showcases a diverse cross-section of art from emerging talent to established art world favourites; alongside an inspiring programme of curated talks, panel discussions and artists insights.
For the latest news, follow @LondonArtFair on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (#LAF23)
PARTNERS
Artscapy - Official Digital Partner
Artscapy is London Art Fair’s digital partner. Their online platform makes art buying, collecting & investing accessible, with a collection management system built for new & experienced collectors and a curated marketplace of museum grade art. To celebrate 2023’s partnership, Artscapy is offering free 6-months insurance on any art piece purchased at London Art Fair 2023.
Artscapy : Built by Collectors for Collectors
Visit Malta - Official Destination Partner
Famous for its bountiful art and culture, Malta is certainly a destination that should be on everyone’s 2023 travel list. In addition to its delicious gastronomy and incredible experiences, the Maltese art scene is one not to ignore. Malta’s art is varied and rich and over the years Maltese art decorated Knights’ palaces and churches. With amazing art galleries such as Muza and the National Gallery of fine art, Malta is the ideal getaway for art and history lovers.
Visit Malta - The Official Tourism Site for Malta, Gozo and Comino - Visit Malta
Audley - Official Travel Partner
Audley Travel is a tour operator with more than 25 years’ experience in creating meaningful travel experiences. A trip with Audley is created completely around you, from the experiences you have to the places you stay. By understanding the meaning behind why you want to travel, Audley’s award-winning specialists can create experiences that will change your perspective and stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
https://www.audleytravel.com/
Dragon Argent - Official Legal Partner
Dragon Argent provides legal advice on a range of services including art and luxury assets, corporate and commercial transactions. As commercial and creative industry specialists, Dragon Argent strives to obtain the best results for its clients, which include businesses, collectors, artists and investors.
Author - Official Furniture Partner
Author provides a unique selection of luxury, contemporary furniture and home accessories handcrafted across the British Isles. These functional art pieces are designed and made to be loved for a lifetime and will be on display and available to purchase in the VIP lounge during the Fair. Many of AUTHOR’s curated, original pieces can be customised to order with an authentication certificate creating true, one-of-a-kind investment pieces for the home.
https://www.authorinteriors.com/
Chestertons - Official Property Partner
As one of London’s oldest and largest estate agencies, Chestertons has a history of supporting the arts and working with local communities across London. A long-term supporter of the Royal Academy of Arts and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Chestertons has also enjoyed innovative partnerships with Central St Martins, The Arts Society, House of St Barnabas and regularly curates programmes of art, social and sporting events for its clients.  Through its 30+ network of branches across London and international offices stretching across the world, Chestertons helps its client buy, sell, rent and manage their properties and prides itself on being one of the most proactive and progressive agents in the country. Chestertons’ Islington branch is positioned at 327 Upper Street - just two minutes from the London Art Fair’s home at the Business Design Centre – so please make time to come and talk to the team about any of your property requirements.
https://www.chestertons.co.uk/en-gb/
Full list of Sponsors and Partners can be found here:
Sponsors and Partners - London Art Fair