ArtCan picks from the London Art Fair 2019
January 2019, Catherine Sweet
This was my first trip to the London Art Fair, an annual event at the Business Design Centre in Angel, and while it didn’t have quite the atmosphere I was expecting, there was certainly a wide variety of works available. As our own talented Spirit de la Mare put it: “It can be overwhelming with so much to see, but I was glad there was a variety of older, more traditional works mixed in with craft and contemporary pieces.”
I think I may be a bit more used to the jazzy atmosphere at fairs like the Affordable Art Fair or The Other Art Fair, but overall there was some excellent pieces on offer here – perhaps I feel that the fair lacks some of the approachability of these other events.
For me, the tone of the works shown this year is divided, almost as if the mixture of artist vision has created a timeline that can’t quite decide if mankind is doomed or if there is hope for us yet!
Standout pieces for me included ‘The Eternal Flame’ by Yong Rae Kwon, represented by Artvera’sin Geneva – with stainless steel rounds reflecting light in a mesmerising display – and Melanie Comber’s pieces created with oil and pigment on paper, shown by Osbourne Samuel.
Woolf Gallery brought along a selection of colourful and playful pieces from the likes of Russell West, LoveJordan and Joanne Tinker – bright and imaginative pieces that can’t help but raise a smile, as well as demonstrating fantastic technique and incredible patience.
Dean and James provided drama at the Dellasposa Gallery stand with a series of deep-set archival prints on board embellished with charcoal. A limited edition of ten, these pieces were arresting and just a little unsettling, but still eerily beautiful.
Lemon Street Gallery also brought some show-stopping pieces, including a gigantic canvas from Neil Canning called ‘Frontier’. An excellent composition, the gallery rightly made it the centrepiece of their stand.
I also particularly enjoyed the REM Project stand, a contemporary art space in Puerto Rico exhibiting in the UK for the first time. Have a look at their Instagram account for a snapshot of their journey!
