Director’s Picks at Affordable Art Fair Melbourne 2024
Explore diverse, handpicked artworks that showcase emerging talents and renowned artists ahead of Affordable Art Fair Melbourne.
Victoria Barns
Tuesday 13 August, 2024
Georgia Huestis, Melbourne’s Fair Director, brings a fresh and astute curatorial eye to Affordable Art Fair. With years of experience in the art world, Georgia is dedicated to making art accessible to all, regardless of budget. Her passion and expertise promises an unforgettable experience for both seasoned collectors and first-time art buyers this 29 August – 1 September.
Under her direction, this year’s fair presents an exciting array of expert galleries from around the world, turning the Royal Exhibition Building into a dynamic creative hub. Each gallery offers its own distinct flavour, ensuring there’s something to suit every taste and style. Whether you’re searching for your next statement piece, or simply want to immerse yourself in the creative atmosphere, Georgia’s curated selection promises not to disappoint.
Figurative
Georgia has chosen to spotlight artist Penelope Boyd, an exceptional realist painter from Canberra, renowned for her mastery of traditional techniques reminiscent of the Old Masters. Her inspiration draws from pre-industrial Western art, depicting masked female figures within expansive, theatrical landscapes that feel both familiar and timeless. These youthful heroines engage dynamically with their wild, dreamlike settings, offering a fresh perspective on the often simplistic portrayals of women in art history.
“Boyd is represented by NSW gallerist Sarah Thomas of Gallery Alchemy, and I am always on the lookout for her latest paintings. Penelope is by no means prolific, and each painting has a distinct personality and strength, whether it be a light blue ribbon, or the gleaming eyes of a fox. In ‘Splendor’ the sitter’s blush pink gown and sparrow tattoo transfix the viewer’s gaze.” – Georgia Huestis
FEMME+ will be showing Marie Pol, a Sydney-based artist, who creates visions and dreams that are steeped in Greco-Roman Antiquity and yet speak to the cosmopolitans of today. Her style alternates between representation and abstraction, sensual and visceral, the illusionism and the textured physicality of the oil paint.
“I’ve been longing to welcome Marie and her collective of fine painters at ‘FEMME+’ to Melbourne since they first exhibited with us when Affordable Art Fair launched in Sydney. To view Marie’s abstracted classical figures under the glow of the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage dome’s intricate plasterwork and paintwork will be a spectacle.” – Georgia Huestis
Tablescapes
Georgia’s choice of tablescapes beautifully showcases the intersection of tradition and innovation, with standout pieces from P3 Collective and Grainger Gallery. Alice Laura Palmer’s ‘Peach, Vessels’ captivates with its carefully placed peach-toned still life objects. The artwork borders on classicism and genuine experimentation with blue-sketched silhouettes settling into the otherwise realistic composition. Her work, fascinated with the worlds between worlds, occupies an uneasy yet intriguing space that invites viewers to explore its dual nature.
Grainger Gallery presents Cate Maddy’s ‘Belly Of Summer -203,’ a vibrant painting that uses dynamic brushwork and rich colours to create a sense of movement, challenging the notion of static objects. Maddy’s paintings are imbued with personal and sentimental meaning, further enhancing the emotional resonance of the tablescape.
“I was immediately drawn to both Cate Maddy and Alice Palmer’s pieces due to their calming palettes and compositions. I’ve always been partial to a pastel palette, and I’d be very surprised if both of these paintings didn’t find homes very quickly as soon as doors to the fair open.”
– Georgia Huestis
Textiles
Whether it be paintings of textiles or fabric itself, our team have certainly noticed a focus on textiles from several of our exhibitors. This year, Georgia has handpicked pieces that beautifully merge technique with innovation.
Karen Davis’ textile masterpiece, ‘Red Earth, Blue Sea’, showcases the delicate and intricate art of Shibori. Davis hand-binds, dyes, and layers the silk using traditional techniques. The result is a textured and dynamic composition that reminds us of organic patterns found in nature. The interplay of colours and forms beautifully reflects its name, hinting at a poetic bond with the earth and sea.
“Although Davis is an Australian-based artist, I first became familiar with her textile works when Shibori exhibited at our inaugural Affordable Art Fair in Austin this year. We are really pleased to be welcoming Shibori to Affordable Art Fair Melbourne for the first time and I look forward to marvelling at these tonal waves of colour and texture up close.“
– Georgia Huestis
KB Art Projects introduces Gauri Torgalkar’s ‘Ikkat Skies Over Parramatta Park,’ a breathtaking fusion of Indian textile traditions and the Australian landscape. Torgalkar meticulously layers paints, alternating between horizontal and vertical strokes to achieve this intricate impression of Ikat fabric. With predominantly transparent colours, each layer interacts harmoniously, creating depth and vibrancy that mirrors woven fabric.
Sculpture
Sculpture has always occupied a unique and dynamic place in the art world, transcending the flat surfaces of traditional canvases and inviting viewers to explore from every angle. Georgia has chosen to spotlight two exceptional sculptures from Grant + Williams: ‘Depth of Surface’ and ‘Untitled.’ These contemporary works, by artist Juyeon Kim, showcase a blend of traditional and modern Korean techniques. Kim’s hand-built sculptures stand out for their innovative forms, highlighting the power of structure within the work.
Right piece: Grant + Williams, Juyeon Kim, ‘Untitled’ (2023), ceramic, hand-built, 27x16cm W11cm, $360
“This year Juyeon Kim joins Grant + Williams with her ceramic vessels and I could certainly find a place for these works in my home. These pieces are just a small snapshot of the series of work Juyeon is working on and I love how their almost industrial forms and concrete grey meet so effortlessly with high gloss gold.”
– Georgia Huestis
Local artist Brad Gunn of Bluethumb Art is also a master of contrast and texture. This year we are excited to announce the artist will have a dedicated space where viewers can enjoy a dedicated spotlight on his iconic fuzzy creatures.
“I love watching our visitors engage and marvel over Brad’s velveteen sculptures and their psychedelic colour palette. His non-traditional forms and command of his chosen medium certainly stop all viewers in their tracks and are a must-see. In fact, you won’t be able to miss them as they’ll be pride of place this year overlooking our champagne bar.” – Georgia Huestis
Line and Medium
At first glance, ‘Awhile’ by Chayanin Kwankaew might resemble a collage or a digitally manipulated image. However, it is an incredibly detailed and intricate oil painting, standing over a meter tall. The artwork blends various styles, tones, line types, and spatial elements, resulting in a fusion of vibrant colors and playful composition that showcases the artist’s exceptional skill.
“Thai painter Chayanin Kwankaew’s artwork is breathtaking. I vividly remember seeing his work in Melbourne with SOL Gallery last year. When gallerist Pimpisa Tinpalit first shared a digital file of Chayanin’s works, I was so intrigued that I immediately called the gallery to learn more. His paintings feature hyper-real brushwork, where romance meets bold abstraction with remarkable style and impressive scale.”
– Georgia Huestis
Using acrylic and aerosol on canvas, CHIMP harnesses the contrasting qualities of spray paint, captivated by its duality of destructive force and reparatory potential. The artwork features a vivid orange octopus as its focal point, with meticulous foreground details creating striking realism.
“New Zealand based artist CHIMP’s latest series of animal aerosol paintings are a must see. At our upcoming fair, LIMN Gallery will be traveling across from Auckland to present CHIMP’s arresting near photographic paintings on their stand. LIMN Gallery are a leading urban and contemporary art place based in Auckland specialising in post-graffiti. They run a dynamic exhibition program whilst featuring the work of over 70 artists.”
– Georgia Huestis
Location and Landscape
We are thrilled to partner with the Warlukurlangu Artists team to bring their paintings to the Affordable Art Fair Melbourne. Don’t miss their vibrant stand, and be sure to say hello to art centre managers Gloria and Cecilia, who have traveled a long way to be here. In 2023, they were both awarded Order of Australia Medals for their exceptional service to the arts.
When reflecting on her own art journey Georgia fondly recounted, “Some years ago, I visited Yuendumu in NT and it has had a lasting impression on me (and my collection). I have gradually built up a collection of small (and affordable) 30 x 30cm paintings that Warlukurlangu are so well known for, and I hang them together as a grid in our living room.”
Another favourite of Georgia’s, Stacey Mrmacovski, a contemporary artist hailing from Melbourne, captures the essence of the Australian landscape through colours and lighting in her unique, emotive works. Represented by Manyung Gallery, she draws inspiration from both impressionism and expressionism. Stacey’s brushstrokes bring raw energy and emotion to life.
“Stacey Mrmacovski’s landscapes remind me of a weekend away with their depth, lushness, and generous texture. This year Stacey will be live painting onsite for the duration of the fair so make sure to catch Stacey wield her palette knife and discover more about her techniques and inspirations.”
– Georgia Huestis
Affordable Art Fair Melbourne 2024 is shaping up to be an unmissable event. With an exciting lineup of expert galleries and an eclectic mix of artworks, there’s truly something for everyone. Dive into the world of vibrant figures, exquisite tablescapes, innovative textures, and intricate lines. Your next favourite piece of art awaits!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore, enjoy, and expand your collection. Book your tickets now and immerse yourself in an art collector’s dream come true at the Royal Exhibition Building.
