Investing in Next Generation Artists

Supporting emerging artists and investing in their work has numerous rewards! Buying a work of art from an emerging artist not only means you’ll support them at a crucial time in their career, but it can also be a wise investment decision that reaps returns down the line when the artist is further on in their career. And, with tuition fees, the cost of living and studio rents all on the rise, there’s never been a more important time to support the future of art.

Here at Affordable Art Fair, we’re dedicated to championing the next generation of artists, and every year provide support to nurture and develop artists’ careers, and connect artists to thousands of interested collectors. This autumn marks the return of our annual Recent Graduates exhibition with a curated pick of top artists coming out of the UK’s art schools. This year’s exhibition, An Intimate Vocabulary, curated by Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf, explores how we communicate without words, and celebrates the resilience and care for each other shown by the 2023 graduating cohort. All works in the exhibition will be available to buy, offering an unrivalled opportunity to discover cutting edge pieces, and support emerging talent before they become household names.

Thanks to Lead Partners JM Finn for supporting the new JM Finn Graduate Artist Award, which gives £5,000 to cover the first year of professional studio fees to one lucky artist. Huge congratulations to MA Photography Graduate Aisha Seriki, our winner!

Oliver Tregoning, Head of Marketing at JM Finn says “We believe in financial freedom and security, to pursue what truly matters to you. Supporting this bursary for young and upcoming artists reflects our mantra and dedication to empowering emerging talent as they follow their passions by embarking on a career in the art world.”

“We conducted research to find out what the biggest barriers are to beginning a professional career as an artist, and the resounding response was the cost of studio fees. Thanks to JM Finn, this bursary will guarantee security to an emerging artist when they need it most, so they can focus on making great art and progressing their career.” Hugo Barclay, Fair Director at Affordable Art Fair UK

So – let’s meet the class of 2023…

Aisha Seriki, winner of the JM Finn Graduate Artist Award – Royal College of Art, MA Photography, 2023

Aisha Seriki is a Nigerian, London-based multimedia artist specialising in fine art photography. Her interest in photography stems from her father’s obsession with documentation; specifically that of all her significant childhood events.

Aisha’s creative practice is driven by both imagination and experience. Grounded by the spirit of Sankofa, her practice invokes the historical past as a method to understand the present realities of existence. She graduated with a first class honours degree in Global Liberal Arts from SOAS University of London in 2020. In 2023 Aisha completed her MA photography programme at the Royal College of Art, winning the New Photography Prize and the SW Darkroom Award for her degree project ‘Ori Inu’.

András Ladocsi – Royal College of Art, MA Photography, 2023

András Ladocsi is a photographer and cinematographer from Hungary. András depicts the stillness of life in a raw, and real way. He captures fleeting moments through the lens, then gone forever. Amongst his many accolades, he has worked with Matches Fashion and singer, songwriter and rapper Frank Ocean.

Dingyue Fan – Royal College of Art, MA Photography, 2023

With a focus on painting and photography, Dingyue explores themes of the subconscious, feminism, and the natural world. Through her abstract-figurative expressions, she captures intricate connections between emotions, memories, and spirituality. Her works have been exhibited in both China and the UK, including at PHOTOFAIRS Shanghai and Off Print at Tate Modern.

Ying Qi Leung – Chelsea College of Arts, MA Textiles, 2023

Ying Qi Leung is a Chinese mixed-media artist, designer and storyteller, currently based in London. Ying Qi’s research is influenced by the artist Danto and her interests are focussed on two main areas: material culture and memory. Ying Qi uses mixed media to  explore emotionally resonant stories, with a unique and sensual aesthetic.

Lola Collins – MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Art, 2023

Lola Collins is a multidisciplinary artist based between London and California, whose current practice investigates the possibility of form and space, and how these relate to her experience as a Black woman moving through the world. Her paintings, sculpture, public work, and performance, are grounded in her fascination with the process of building. To Collins, building necessitates both deconstruction and reconstruction, and it is this duality that she pursues both literally and metaphorically in her work.

Yi Zhou – Camberwell College of Art, MA Fine Art Photography, 2023

Yi Zhou is a multi-disciplinary artist exploring identity, the precarity of mental health and death. Zhou is greatly inspired by travel and after visiting Tibet five times developed a deep connection with the country, informing her first documentary photo collection Tibetan Veil. Her experience of lockdown led her to think about topics of depression and death – a strong motivator of her Testament collection. Zhou believes death should no longer be a taboo, but something that needs to be faced and discussed directly.

Hear more from exhibition curator Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf in our afternoon talks on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 October. Find out more here.

A big thank you to our Lead Partner of Affordable Art Fair Battersea Autumn, JM Finn, whose support enables our Recent Graduates programme to happen.