Blythe Bolton is our Fair Director for Amsterdam and Brussels, who joined the Affordable Art Fair in 2017 to bring together her three great loves; art, travel and throwing a huge party!
We can’t wait to hear more from Blythe on what to expect at an Affordable Art Fair in Amsterdam and Brussels.
Blythe’s career in the art world began in earnest when she answered an advertisement in the window of a Nieuwe Speigelstraat gallery window. What followed was two years presenting predominantly Dutch contemporary photography to collectors at art fairs across the world. Her time at the Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam office on the Warmoesstraat began in 2017, and since then she has gone on to lead the Benelux team, directing both Amsterdam and Brussels.
After studying art history with a specialisation in contemporary sculpture at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, Blythe spent her twenties exploring a variety of professional paths. She spent time at Condé Nast in London working for their travel publication, teaching yoga in Amsterdam, coordinating the world renowned HowTheLightGetsIn philosophy festival and volunteering in the realms of art therapy at a homeless charity where she learnt the powerful impact art can have in allowing people to open up emotionally.
Over to Blythe to introduce the Benelux fairs…
The 17th edition of Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam takes place this November. What programming are you looking forward to most?
As we tiptoe into winter, I’m super excited to share the sunshine of our Spotlight on Spain section with Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam visitors. Our Spanish exhibitors always bring warmth in both their artworks and their personalities, so this is sure to be a glowing neighbourhood in the fair. At the other end of the hall, I’m equally psyched to see some big names like StreetartFrankey, Tellas and Piroeh, at the Urban Art and Beyond area.
“Amsterdam Noord is full of vibrant murals and so giving art lovers the opportunity to learn more about this scene in the cosy indoor setting of the fair is sure to be a buzz.”
Malou Cohen’s ‘Enjoy the Unexpected’ exhibition based on her city break in Basel I’m also expecting to be a fun trip and, because I love watching artists in action, I’m keen to see rapidly rising star Anne Mei Poppe painting live on the week nights of the fair. At the Central Bar, there will be a huge aerial installation from Alejandro Propato’s Fuschia Deployment in place against the backdrop of our much loved industrial Kromhouthal and our friends at AVRO TROS will be presenting an exhibition of some of the Netherlands brightest young talents.
It’s always fun to watch artworks being wrapped and heading home from the Wrapping Desk and I love seeing the young ones (and their parents!) getting creative in the Kidsspace too.
What are 3 top tips you’d give to anyone wanting to visit an art fair?
You do you. While an art fair is a magical maze full of portals into artists’ worlds, it’s also intended to be a blank canvas for your experience. Maybe you want to come alone and focus solely on finding a painting for your work desk. Maybe you want to explore with a friend and discover your companion’s subconscious love of birds or blue ink. In short, there is no ‘right way’ to experience an art fair, so feel free to please yourself.
Visit twice, if you can. Escape your laptop to refuel your creative tank at the fair during the day on Thursday or Friday when the hall is more tranquil, then join again at the weekend with friends and family to enjoy the buzz. I spend all four days at the fair and even I feel like I’m discovering intriguing new artworks right up until the end!
Just ask. ‘Do you have any smaller paintings by this artist?’, ‘Could you please point me in the direction of the bar?,’ Affordable Art Fair is famous for friendliness so don’t hesitate to chat to our exhibitors and team.
If you’d like to find out more about Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam or Brussels, hit the links to discover all the details, grab tickets and sign up for updates.