Fair Director Highlights: Sydney

In little over a month, Affordable Art Fair will make a much-anticipated return to Sydney. This year, you can look forward to 56 hand selected galleries who are bringing 100s of artists and 1,000s of artworks to add to your collection. In addition to these must-see galleries, I’m looking forward to our exciting program complete with Artists in Action, our Discover: Young Talent showcase and our Creative Hub in collaboration with TAFE NSW Art Lab.

A perk of being Fair Director is reviewing the artworks galleries are bringing to the fair and it’s certainly a difficult task to create a list of favourites from such a diverse offering. To help you plan your own visit and put together your own art wishlist, read on for my highlights.

Affordable Art Fair Sydney, Fair Director’s Highlights

Anita West, Flower Garden Dreaming 2

As a Northern Beaches local, I first fell for Anita’s paintings during my visits to Harvey Galleries in Seaforth. Her colourful canvases capture the essence of the Aussie bush and beach lifestyle in a unique floral approach.

Jessie Beasley, Our Country

Jessie Beasley is known for her gorgeous portrayal of the Wutunugurra Region, in which she forms detailed paintings of the bush medicines that grow in Epenarra. I love how Jessie’s artworks are joyful, soft, and very detailed all at once. C.A Presents is supporting Jessie and other artists from Barkly Regional Arts, a multi-disciplinary art centre that collaborates with remote Indigenous communities in the Barkly region.

Vanessa Valero, Red mountain

I’m drawn to the texture and vibrant colours in this textile-artwork by Colombian artist Vanessa Valero. Can you believe that this landscape is created through hand-tufted technique? Vanessa meticulously forms her compositions thread by thread and will be shown at MG & Co Gallery along with other South American artists.

Ortaire de Coupigny, Sardines

Ortaire’s playful artworks fuse mass produced products (the sardine tins are made in his local area!) and meticulous hand painted detail. I first discovered Ortaire de Coupigny sculptures in Hong Kong at the Affordable Art Fair and couldn’t resist a small scampi. This year I’m looking to add to my collection and discover more at REDSEA Gallery from WA.

Vicki Ratcliff , What a Morning

I can’t think of a better way to break up a busy work week than a morning dip in the ocean, and Vicki Ratcliff from Art Gallery on Darling perfectly captures this romantic routine. If you’re looking for the perfect piece to look at when relaxing at home, don’t miss her work at the Art Gallery on Darling Stand.

Walter Jangala Brown,  Tingari Cycle

I find Walter’s paintings so mesmerising that I could look at them forever. This painting is called Tingari Cycle and portrays his Grandfather’s Tingari Cycle, dreaming that relates directly to his land. He also paints his father’s Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming); Warna Jukurrpa (Snake Dreaming); and Yumari Jukurrpa (a collection of rocks located to the west of Kintore in the Gibson Desert). Aboriginal Contemporary and Yaama Ganu are joining forces to bring remote community art to our Sydney fair, to experience Walter’s must-see paintings for yourself; make sure to stop by their stand!

James Lesjak Atton, Ron Burgundy

I love how at first this sculpture by James Lesjak Atton looks like a digital graphic, but rest assured that this exciting artwork is actually acrylic paint on a timber form and can come home with you after your fair visit. To see it yourself, visit the BrummerDuff stand.

Tony Potts, Briefcase Running

My journey collecting art first began with photography and I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for the medium ever since. Tony Potts’s photographic prints are both contemporary and classic and a great addition to your home. LIGHTWORKS are a Sydney-based Fine Art Photography Gallery who are joining our fairs for the first time, so be sure to visit their stand.

Peta West, Old Coast Road

My adoration for print isn’t confined to film. I am traditional print aficionado and am impressed by the level of detail that Peta West includes in her linocut prints. Old Coast Road captures an “explosion of life” and is filled to the brim with nods to Australian wildlife. Best experienced up close and personal, see this piece at Gallery Alchemy’s stand at Affordable Art Fair Sydney!

Joshua Andree, Window South Casuarinas Fortescue Bay

It’s no secret that I have a love for landscapes and that much of my personal collection reflects this. Joshua Andree’s contrasted palette landscapes bring a contemporary edge to the traditional medium that I adore.

I hope that my curated selection has you inspired to join us at Affordable Art Fair Sydney 15 – 18 June, taking two levels of the luxurious Winx Stand at Royal Randwick Racecourse.

In the mood to add some art to your collection? We are giving every ticket-buyer who subscribes to our emails the chance to WIN $1,000 to put towards art at Affordable Art Fair Sydney. Head on over to our fair page for more information.

Main image: Anita West, Flower Garden Dreaming 2, Harvey Galleries