What to see at Affordable Art Fair Battersea Autumn 2023

This autumn, Affordable Art Fair is going to showcase an impressive art programme, featuring the best in contemporary, affordable art from all over the world. Located in London’s Battersea Park between 19 – 22 October 2023, the exhibitor line-up includes 112 galleries and 1,000s of artists.

So, what can you see at the fair? You can expect not only a stunning range of contemporary art from UK and international galleries, but also first time exhibitors and artists making their fair debut, a special exhibition celebrating Black History Month and the return of the fair’s annual Recent Graduates Exhibition, offering the chance for you to snap up a work by the next big talent, before they become household names.

RECENT GRADUATES EXHIBITION

Showcasing an exciting selection of new artists to watch, the 2023 edition of Affordable Art Fair’s Recent Graduates Exhibition, curated by Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf, is titled “An Intimate Vocabulary”, exploring how we communicate without words – momentary glances, the reassuring squeeze of a hand, or a moment to catch our breath.

For the display, Nephertiti was inspired by the resilience and care of the 2023 recent graduate cohort, which she noticed when visiting the graduates at their end of year shows. As artists at the beginning of their careers, occupying a highly competitive place, she was struck by how much love and support they gave to each other. “An Intimate Vocabulary” is dedicated to those graduates who have grown together and how art and creative expression enable us to protect the moments, people and things we hold dear.

Artists featured in the Recent Graduates Exhibition include:

András Ladocsi, a photographer and cinematographer from Hungary who worked collaboratively with Frank Ocean in New York in 2021-2022. Ladocsi completed his studies in MA Photography from the RCA, London in 2023.

Ying Qi Leung, a Chinese mixed-media artist, designer and storyteller, currently based in London. She is an MA graduate of Textile Design, Chelsea College of Arts. Her research is influenced by the artist Danto and her interests are focussed on material culture and ideologies of memory carriers.

Anselm Ebulue, an artist motivated by his curiosity, using photography to explore and question his own perspectives. Ebulue recently completed his MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at LCC and in 2019 he was awarded the Magnum Photos Intensive Documentary Scholarship and was a winner of the 2018 and 2020 Portrait of Britain Award.

Dingyue Fan graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2023. With a focus on painting and photography, she explores the themes of the subconscious, feminism, and natural world.

Lucrezia Abatzoglu, a London-based multidisciplinary artist. Her practice is stimulated by female figures which are formed from notions of subconsciousness and mis-anthropomorphisms, but also of emotions and uncertainties. She works with other mediums such as clays and waxes which she will later cast into silver or other metals in order to understand her work through different dimensional aspects.

Hugo Barclay, Fair Director at Affordable Art Fair, commented: “I’m really excited to showcase work by a range of new graduate artists in our Recent Graduates exhibition this October. Two artists’ work particularly captivated me: Lucrezia Abatzoglu, who creates whimsical and slightly strange figurative paintings that are both arresting and sometimes lonely, and photographer Andras Ladocsi, who captures the stillness of life in a raw, and real way. Fleeting Moments captured in time through the lens, then gone forever.”

ARTS EMERGENCY

Shining a light on the next generation of creatives, Affordable Art Fair is also partnering with Arts Emergency as the Fair’s Charity, set up by comedian Josie Long and activist Neil Griffiths in 2013 to address the need for better access to the arts and creative industries. For over 10 years they have helped 16 – 25 year-olds without connections follow their passions and navigate their way into the creative and cultural sectors.

Arts Emergency will be presenting an exhibition of works for sale at Battersea Autumn, including artwork donated by comedian Joe Lycett, whose proceeds will be going straight back to supporting the charity’s work: making sure all young people have a fair shot at a life in the arts. You can get involved and support Arts Emergency with a £5 donation when buying your ticket, visiting their stand at the fair or signing up to be an industry mentor.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLACK BRITISH ART

Celebrating Black History Month, “Abstract Contemplations” is a captivating new exhibition that celebrates the rich and diverse creativity of African Diaspora artists through the lens of abstraction, curated by Lisa Anderson and Brian Maina of Black British Art.

This thought-provoking showcase brings together an array of artistic voices from across both Affordable Art Fair’s and Black British Art’s communities, transcending geographical boundaries and exploring the myriad experiences of the African Diaspora. Through a kaleidoscope of colours, forms, and textures, the artists featured in this exhibition invite viewers to embark on a visual journey of self-discovery and contemplation. Each artwork tells a unique story, reflecting the artists’ personal narratives, cultural heritage, and intricate relationships with the world.

Lisa Anderson is also the Managing Director of the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, whose mission is to collect, preserve and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK.

CAMPAIGN ARTIST: MATT DOSA

A new installation from Matt Dosa, the star of the Battersea Autumn advertising campaign, will welcome visitors as they enter the atrium of the fair. Graffiti artist turned muralist, Matt is known for his vibrant large-scale murals and has produced major commissions for the likes of the NHS, Mayor of London and Universal Music’s infamous BRITs after-party.

ABSTRACT ART

One of the top selling artwork styles this year, Affordable Art Fair will also present a spotlight on abstract art, with a curated display of highlighted pieces.

ART INSPIRED BY NATURE

You will also be able to discover art inspired by nature and climate.

For more information about the next Affordable Art fair, please visit the Affordable Art Fair website.

For more information about mentioned artists and galleries, please click or tap on the links.

Cover image: art by Gaetan de Seguin, Le Menestrel, Galerie Barrou Planquart

MISSED AFFORDABLE ART FAIR HAMPSTEAD 2023? TAKE A TOUR HERE.