ARTY GIFTS FOR HIM

When buying a gift for the men in our lives, rather than think imaginatively, all too often we rely on stereotypical items that we’ve been buying for decades: think football shirts, novelty socks or gardening gloves. With such an amazing range of bespoke, unusual, beautiful and homemade gifts now available, however, there really is no excuse for relying on gimmicky, novelty items to treat the men in your life. And it’s probably no surprise that here at the Affordable Art Fair, we truly believe that the gift of art is one of the most special and soulful ways to share the love and let someone know how much they mean to you. No matter what your budget and price, gifting a hand-picked print, a stunning painting or a quirky sculpture is a wonderful way to celebrate and spoil a loved one, whether it’s for Christmas, a birthday, Father’s Day, or just to show you care.

To help get the inspiration flowing, we’ve compiled a failsafe gift guide — so whether you’re searching for a brother, dad, husband or friend, then look no further. There’s plenty of affordable and original work in our online shop, and with our roster of gallerists and the Affordable Art Fair team on hand to give you expert advice, rest assured that we have all your gift buying needs covered. Read on for some of our top pics — and be sure to let us know how you get on.

For the man who… loves to laugh

We all have that man in our lives who fancies himself as a bit of a comedian. Without a doubt, artwork is a brilliant way to make someone smile, particularly when hung in a place where it’ll be seen every day. How about investing in Martin Grover’s “Royal Academy of Procrastination” (above), a charming nod to the everyday whilst making the viewer grin with its whimsical title.

For something a little more flamboyant, Darren James MacPherson’s “Don’t Believe the Hep… Yo” has just the right amount of pop-art inspiration, Bowie-esque swagger and Hollywood charm. It’s a great gift for someone whose space needs a pop of colour and is a steal at just £125! Or, for the extroverts in your life, how about Lars Tunebo’s “King of the City”, a beautiful statement piece that is sure to be the centre of attention.

For the man who… loves his family

Men are often big kids at heart, and we have plenty of beautiful artworks in our online shop that salute the family man! With its jovial spirit and light hearted feel, lai-ue Zoe Liu’s “Play! Play! Play!” really celebrates playful and silly family time. For something a little more sentimental, how about Jennifer Watt’s bronze sculpture, “The Walk”? There’s something extremely charming about the way the child looks up at the parent — bringing to mind the importance of quiet Sunday strolls or days out with loved ones.

For the man who… loves being outside

Sometimes, the beauty of art lies in its ability to transport us elsewhere. Buying a gift that has the power to take the viewer away to a faraway place — even if just for a split second — provides a moment’s pause from the everyday, and there are plenty of picturesque prints that nod to nature in our online shop that do just that. How about Ben Grace’s “From Burnham Overy, Norfolk”, a gorgeous harbour side view with original oils that almost feel photographic.

Or, Garry Raymond Pereira’s stunning and light-soaked “Native Bluebell” is a simply gorgeous piece, with its exquisite rendering of light a wonderful addition to any home. For those who crave a little simplicity, Nicole Daudert’s original pastel piece is a subtle yet effective nod to the great outdoors, proving a perfect gift for walkers, runners and cyclists who love being outside.

For the man who… is a deep thinker

Made from bronze, Anthony Theakston’s “Large Sleeping Barn Owl” is an ideal gift for the deep thinkers or serene listeners in your life; the men who enjoy nothing more than a good book, a pot of tea, and a comfy art chair. For those real homebodies, a piece of sculpture is a lovely object to have at home, allowing you to stop, contemplate, and enjoy a moment’s pause. With this in mind, works with a sense of history or biography behind them are a brilliant gift; we love Emmanuel Okoro’s “Inspiration”, influenced by the artist’s tribal ancestry and keen interest in storytelling.

For the man who… works too hard

We all know that man who is a complete workaholic and who sometimes needs a little reminder that life isn’t all about the office, so why not choose a piece designed to encourage relaxing and unwinding. Who can help but switch off when gazing at Tim Hall’s gorgeous “Margate”, with its piercing baby blues and floating swimmer. Another artist who utilises the calm of the horizon line is Lee Acaster; influenced by the natural landscapes surrounding his home in East Anglia, his stunning, sky-filled work “Fold” is sure to chill him out in no time.

For the man who… loves to travel

For those well and truly struck by the travelling bug, buying a gift that brings back happy memories of travelling and holidays is sure to raise a smile. Richard Heeps’ stunning C-type photography “Vetyver Pool” celebrates all things tropical, with seductive and saturated colours swiftly transporting the viewer to palm-clad coastlines and sunny vistas.

Or, why not evoke the hustle and bustle of city life with one of Maud Vantours’ fabulous works on paper, such as “Moscow”. Based in Paris, Maud’s paper-based collages, with their hypnotising patterns and textures, evoke the urban experience brilliantly, proving a perfect way to liven up an empty wall or space.

And there you have it! These, and many more perfect presents – why not browse our Gifts for Him category – just follow the link below. PLUS we’ve also added a link to our Christmas Gifts For Him category, it’s the perfect time of year to surprise him with an arty treasure that he’ll enjoy for years to come!

Main Image:
Tim Southall, A Walk in the Snow, 2015, £185, etching, limited edition of 75, Arc Fine Arts.

Featured art from first to last:

Martin Grover, Royal Academy of Procrastination, 2019, £200, silkscreen print, limited edition of 25, Wills Art Warehouse.

Darren James MacPherson, Dont Believe The Hep…Yo, 2013, print, original, £125, Degree Art.

Lars Tunebo, King of the City, 2016, £550, print, limited edition of 30, Liberty Gallery.

lai-ue Zoe Liu, Play! Play! Play! (Let ‘Em Play Series), 2018, £2880, mixed medix, original, Blink Gallery2.

Jennifer Watt, The Walk, 2016, £850, bronze, limited edition of 25, ContemporArti.

Ben Grace, From Burnham Overy, Norfolk, 2017, £2500, oil, original, Nicholas Bowlby.

Garry Raymond Pereira, Native Bluebell, 2019, £165, oil, original, Signet contemporary art.

Nicole Daudert, Untitled, Z7, 2013, £300, pastel, original, CONTEMP-RENT.

Anthony Theakston, Large Sleeping Barn Owl, 2018, £5500, bronze, limited edition of 12, Iona House Gallery.

Emmanuel Okoro, INSPIRATION, 2011, £1500, bronze, original, Degree Art.

Tim Hall, Margate, 2006, £480, print, limited edition of 10, Durlacher Contemporary.

Lee Acaster, Fold, 2019, £1100, giclée print, limited edition of 25, Quintessential25.

Richard Heeps, Vetyver Pool, 2013, £1295, photograph, limited edition of 10, Bleach Box.

Maud Vantours, Moscow, 2019, £2200, paper, original, Galerie Art Jingle.