18/01/12

Just come back from the London Art Fair at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

I have been to many art fairs in my time, even run a stand at 20/21 British Art Fair, Royal College of Art and Art London, Chelsea Barracks. However the growing numbers of fairs is proving to have an effect on each one. These effects being that there is less of a buzz of people/ people aren’t really buying. I say, ”aren’t really buying” as some galleries do continue to sell really well regardless to the “recession” we face today.

HOWEVER this fair has everything going for it; location, list of top galleries and great artworks but most of all, it had a buzz!

The great location being bang next to the Islington Hilton Hotel (that weirdly seem to have just Audis outside!) and an underground car park in the heart of Islington with restaurants and shops in walking distance. It is perfect! It is set in the vast building that belongs to the Business Design Centre. The numerous lists of galleries are very impressive with over a hundred stands and some of the best dealers in the business. It was almost too many artworks and stands to view but if you make a good evening of it as I did and take your time, it is possible to do. I find that you tune in to each stand that you like.

I attended the fair with one of my best friends, Steph, who lives in Islington and upon entering both of us were wowed over with some great art pieces and well known 20th and 21st Century artworks. Even Steph, who isn’t the most arty person, still recognized a good collection of Damien Hirst’s prints (Other Criteria- stand 3) as well as Ivon Hitchens and John Pipers works. She very much enjoyed the art as much I did. The works of a Chole Lamb, whom I hadn’t heard of before but her work very much reminded me of early 1960’s abstraction. This can be seen in Pieroni Contemporary Art (Stand G31). Another artwork that I really struggled not to buy was Jo Taylor’s horse done in mixed media on paper, called “Corinthian”. It could have been because I used to have a horse and it is so beautiful drawn in charcoal. This was in Lena Boyle Fine Art stand (G28). If only I wasn’t in so much student debt!!!!!! Furthermore it was a pleasure to see some friendly faces on the stands.

The busyness of the fair grew while we were there and in the last hour of the fair almost became unbearable. I would suggest from experience that you do wish to see this fair that you go during the day. This show is on until 22nd January. Really worth going.

http://www.londonartfair.co.uk/