Fairs
Battersea Spring 2024: Natural World Route Guide
If you're on the hunt for beautiful, original art that brings the wonders of the great outdoors into your home, look no further than our Natural World route guide!
Tatiana Ramsay
Thursday 22 February, 2024
Whether it’s snowy winter scenes, star-studded night skies or evocations of a hopeful spring; nature is a perennial muse, providing an infinite source of inspiration that has captivated artists for centuries. Modern interpretations might play with a desire for environmental connection in an increasingly digital, fast-paced world, or even a growing awareness of the importance of cherishing our planet. Either way, the choices are vast when looking for an artwork that celebrates the natural world.
So, without further ado, it’s time to discover the artists at our Battersea Spring fair who invite us to pause, appreciate, and rediscover the profound beauty that surrounds us—from breathtaking astrophotography to beautiful depictions of flora and fauna, there is so much to fall in love with.
1. Quantum Contemporary Art, stand G1
At our first stop, art lovers will find themselves spoiled for choice at Quantum Contemporary (stand G1). Here, you’ll discover beautiful artworks by British-Bulgarian artist Stiliana Alexieva, whose seascapes are inspired by the many changeable moods of the British and Scottish weather. Let them stir your imagination with their drama, peace and serenity.
Plus, find Beckie Reed’s paintings, which often depict the enchanted forests where she lives in East Anglia – place she loves to visit for long walks. Let yourself feel drawn into the work, and explore the intricate detail of her woods and the paths.
2. Al contra del arte, stand C1
Next up, head to row D where you will stumble across Al contra del arte (stand C1), presenting stunning paintings by Spanish artist Diego Beneitez. Beneitez’s, who’s work feels like a window to the outside world as he beautifully captures the subtlety of atmosphere, light and water. His ability to capture those magical moments when the first rays of sunrise appear, or the last moments of light before sunset, are truly breath-taking.
3. Reisz Gallery, stand D1
Just opposite the aisle is Reisz Gallery (stand D1). Visit their stand for a collective of expert fine art photographers who look to nature as their inspiration. You’ll find work by Benjamin Rice, including a series of vertical landscapes that play with perspective and scale. Rice’s large prints are meticulously crafted from multiple shots—sometimes up to 100 each time—painstakingly combined to create an extraordinary level of detail, evoking fantastical worlds.
4. Hanga Ten Contemporary Japanese Prints, stand D7
Head down row D to find Hanga Ten on your right-hand side (Stand D7), travelling all the way from Japan! Here you’ll discover the work of American artist Joel Stewart, who has lived in Kyoto since 1987. Stewart is inspired by ‘typical Japanese’ themes, and more recently by the most recognisable Japanese image there is: cherry blossom. Stewart magnifies just a few blooms to create the most spectacular print. He tends to print with etchings or colour aquatint, but he does not restrict himself to prints alone, using watercolour when he ventures outside to recreate the countryside around Kyoto.
Joel Stewart, Sakura Noir, aquatint, £2,250, Hanga Ten Contemporary Japanese Prints
5. Signet Contemporary Art, stand C8
Now let’s head to Signet Contemporary Art (stand C8) to see Irina Cumberland’s tranquil paintings of the Ocean. Irina has developed a painting style that highlights natural fractal patterns, each painting is specifically designed with the intention of transform any space into a peaceful sanctuary – let the ocean’s steady movement in and out, notice the glittering light dancing on the surface, and experience a profound sense of calm.”
6. ADM Gallery, stand F4
Next, meander around the corner towards row F where you’ll find ADM Gallery (stand F4) showcasing stunning astro-photography by Anna Dobrovolskaya-Mints (main image) – they are hard to miss! Anna’s breathtaking photographs showcase the artistry of long-exposure photography, a challenging process with incredibly beautiful results. Not only does her work mesmerize, but it also underscores the significance of preserving nature for future generations.
Hunting for art is thirsty work! If you’re in need of a break, now is the perfect time to grab a refreshing tipple at our central bar. You’ve earned it!
7. Hancock Gallery, stand F3
Next continue down isle F to Hancock Gallery (stand F3) to find more blooming paintings. Canadian artist Kristina Chan is a London based artist whose practice utilises narrative and site specificity to evoke a felt history and sense of place. Inspired by post-impressionism, Japanese prints, and contemporary photography, her work explores the boundaries between individual and collective memory, and how these colliding narratives can affect our interpretation of space. Let yourself be transported into the Kristina’s sublime natural world.
8. Marine House at Beer, stand J1
The penultimate gallery stop is not one to miss! Shimmy yourself over to row J where you will stumble across Marine House at Beer (stand J1) to view Michael Sole’s powerful and evocative paintings of sea, coast, and mountains. He describes himself as part of an art movement termed “involuntaryism.” This approach encourages the artist to totally immerse himself in the spirit and feel of a place often staying on site for days and observing and deeply imbuing the mood it emits. When back in the warmth of his studio, Sole “spills out the experience” onto the canvas. These exciting paintings will leave you feeling as though you have been in Sole’s shoes.
9. Water and Rock, stand L4
Last but certainly not least, make your way around the corner, and you’ll discover Water and Rock (stand L4). Hold onto your hats because this work comes with a sea breeze! Grey Ramsden’s incredible seascape paintings portray the monumentality of the natural world, painstakingly depicting the textures of the surface and the mathematics of the ripples, waves, and swell. There is something very calming whilst also unsettling about his works.
And that concludes our Natural World Route Guide – we hope you’ve enjoyed learning about a variety of nature inspired works on show at Battersea Spring.