Fairs
Battersea Fair Director’s Top Picks
With the Affordable Art Fair Battersea Summer edition opening soon, Fair Director Elizabeth Dellert reveals her top artwork picks.
Aminah Cohen-Shah
Thursday 17 June, 2021
Before the launch of the upcoming edition, Fair Director Elizabeth Dellert gives us a sneak peek of her top picks from Affordable Art Fair Battersea Summer (8 – 11 July, Battersea Park) and, with all the excitement surrounding our first London fair in over a year, this edition is not to be missed.
Read below as Elizabeth takes you through her top picks of the season, from her favourite photographers to brand-new galleries, perfect to get you in the mood for the fair. Over to you Elizabeth…
New Galleries
We have so many new and exciting galleries bringing their stall of debuting artists to Battersea Summer, it was difficult to choose! As a sample of what’s to come, I’ve selected two very different works from Ben Russell, represented by Lucinda Dalton Gallery (Stand A4), and Hossein Ahmadi Nasab with Diba Art (Stand B3).
Ben’s sculpture, ‘Cocgnizance’ has a quiet elegance to it. Subliminally calling to mind images of calm; of Oriental porcelain, of Bonsai trees, but also utility and action, strength, in the shape of the wheel. There’s definitely a sense of timeless knowing, summed up in the work’s title!
In contrast, Hossein’s is captivating in an entirely different way, in the contrast of the bold and arresting colours and the incredible tenderness of the seated woman’s face.
See these artworks and more from two wonderful new galleries at this edition of our Battersea fair.
Striking Works
When you first see Will Solomon’s ‘Blue Trees’ you can’t help but be intrigued. They seem to have so much life in them, like Yves Klein’s take on Tolkein’s Ents, made vampishly modern in a vivid blue. No question, these would be an eye-catching addition to any home. Visit NoonPowell Fine Art (Stand C1) to see them in person.
I can’t fail to mention, trend-setting artist Mr Brainwash, whose work you’ll find on the Clarendon Fine Arts stand (Stand I1). The pop-infused ‘All You Need is He-ART’ is a perfect representation of my love for all the artists, visitors and galleries we will have at this year’s fair.
New Artist Collectives
We always like to have a few artist collectives in the mix at our fairs, as they bring a different perspective and, for this edition, we’re excited to have such a strong contingent.
The work I have chosen to highlight is from Julia Noble, of Hartley Noble. Visit stand number D6 to feast your eyes on this abstract, geometric beauty!
Fresh Photography
We have an especially strong mix of photography at Battersea Summer, that I had to include a couple in my top picks.
‘Wild Cherry, April 29th’ by Benjamin Rice of Reisz Gallery (Stand E2) isn’t your average landscape photograph – the delicacy of the spring blossom is write large in the scale of Benjamin’s work, capturing what is quite a short-lived and fleeting springtime treat, and enabling you to take it home!
And finally, I am utterly captivated by Valery Ktsuba’s weird and wonderful photo of a horse drawing class.
You, as the viewer, are drawn in as it captures gaze on gaze. What is to these students perhaps an everyday occurrence, is made art and sculpture and record all in one.
Visit Shtager Gallery (Stand A7) to take a closer look.
Don’t miss our Charity Partner
This year, we’re incredibly proud to partner with Arts 4 Dementia to support them in empowering people affected by dementia in the community.
Visit their stand (L6), where you’ll see donated works from our artists. All works are available for purchase at the fair, with proceeds going to help facilitate Arts 4 Dementia’s outreach in art therapy.
My favourite piece from the Arts 4 Dementia selection is by Gail Seres-Woolfson, abstracted mixed-media take on the urban landscape.
What a selection – thank you Elizabeth! See these and 1000s more affordable, contemporary artworks at Affordable Art Fair Battersea Summer (8-11 July, Battersea Park).
With limited capacity to ensure social distancing tickets are only available to book online in advance so snap yours up today!