Is Tiny Art the New Big Thing?

In a world where art collecting can lean towards the grand and expansive, there seems to be growing fascination with the opposite. Undoubtably, tiny art is having a moment. Whether it’s a minimalist, tiny ‘star-of-the-show’ on a big wall, a collage of wee works, or something to fill that awkward nook and make you smile, it’s clear that tiny artworks hold a unique place in the art world, inviting us to look closer and appreciate the beauty in the details.

Often intricate, curiously novel, artistically challenging, and sometimes downright whimsical, curating tiny art in your home can bring enormous joy and have a huge impact.

We sat down with Affordable Art Fair Founder and CEO Will Ramsay to take a closer look at his own bite-size collection, ranging from a paper eyeball-like sphere containing an infinite gallery, to a pistachio nut with a smiley face, bought for just €1.

So, grab your magnifying glass (literally!) and join us behind-the-scenes to dive into this delightful tiny trend with Will.

1. Silvy Weatherall, Drowning in a sea of tears

Silvy has so many great ideas, using such a wide variety of recycled mediums; this piece is one part of a much larger work made up of hundreds of tears, made from old discarded keys.

They tell the story of refugees who lock up their homes before fleeing, perhaps never to need the key again, hence the teardrop shape of the resin which contains the key. 

Silvy Weatherall, Drowning in a sea of tears, Resin teardrop with Key, £180, bought in 2022. Photograph by Phil Wilkinson 

2. Maria von Kohler, Trophy

It’s got attitude! ‘Trophy’ has a stoicism, I always admire this characteristic in people, too.  

3. Emma Taylor, The Country Cottage

This magical tiny cottage has been made with such fantastic craftsmanship. I loved it because it reminded me of our little “Hansel and Gretel” cottage in Scotland.  

Emma Taylor, The country Cottage, Wire, wadding and vintage book pages, £500, bought in 2015, Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring from Byard

“Tiny artworks are uber-affordable – and it’s a plus that they are easy to transport home from art fairs abroad.”

4. Pistachio nut with a smiley face

I found this piece from a Berlin artist’s studio. If you have terrible eyesight like me, you might need your magnifying glass to see that it’s a pistachio nut with a smiley face.

I bought it for only €1, it is the most affordable piece I have ever bought.

Will with his €1 artwork, a pistachio nut with a smiley face. Photograph by Phil Wilkinson

5. Kenji Sugiyama, The Third Eye

I love this mini gallery, all within an eyeball. It is an exquisite example of Japanese craftsmanship. When you look inside, at the end of the infinite gallery is your own eye looking straight back at you.

“I am drawn to tiny art because some are endearing, they almost bring out the child within me”, say’s Will. “I have a mantra that goes ‘Growing old is compulsory; growing up is optional’. Some of the tiny artwork in my collection evokes a sense of fun, they tickle my sense of humour.”

6. Jam Jar Fairies, Davy & Kristin McGuire

I have always loved video art and this piece is one of my favourites! It is such a beautiful fusion of nature and fairy tails.

Occasionally, she taps on the glass with her wand and creates the loveliest twinkle noise.

Davy & Kristin McGuire, Jam Jar Fairies, £3,500, video sculpture, bought in 2014, Muriel Guepin Gallery. Photograph by Phil Wilkinson 

“I hugely appreciate the craftsmanship, patience and skill needed to create art on this tiny scale.”

7. Tim Taylor, Domestic Erosion

Tim Taylor has so cleverly carved Pears soap into a mini Barbara Hepworth inspired sculpture. Barbara Hepworth’s pieces are magnificent, I have always admired them.

I loved the fun factor of this tiny version, which took such craftsmanship to carve, coupled with ingenuity to have made soap into sculpture.

Tim Taylor, Domestic Erosion, £25, pears soap, bought in 2006, Glasgow Art Fair, Merz Art Gallery

8. Barbara Perquin, Hands

I love the craftsmanship and delicacy of this piece, it must have taken a huge amount of time.

I imagined Barbara carefully selecting a tiny stick made of the correct wood so that the finger wouldn’t break off when carving.

“I love the optimism of a single raised finger, no matter how tiny, the impact is huge.”

Barbara Perquin, Hands, £85, bought from Galerie Annee, Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam

9. Nicholas Kyszyk, Robots

Nicholas Kyszyk’s small canvas painting of a robot girl being held by its mother tickled my sense of humour as the father of four daughters.

10. Maria Morrow, Elvis on Toast

This fantastic artwork was kindly gifted to me on Affordable Art Fair’s 5^th Anniversary by one of our longstanding exhibitors; Rebecca Hossak Gallery.

20 years on, Elvis most definitely isn’t edible anymore, he hangs in my kitchen next to the toaster!

Maria Morrow, Elvis on Toast, Gifted, ink on toast

11. Roberto Reuli, The Parachutist

I am continually trying to assess what this tiny parachutist is thinking. There is a tranquillity about him, which perhaps proceeds drama.

Will Ramsay with Roberto Reuli’s ‘The Parachutist’, £2,500, bronze with steel base, bought in 2011 from Standarte, Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam. Photograph by Phil Wilkinson 

Don’t miss your chance to fall in love with small but mighty artworks, plus 1000s more of all shapes and sizes, at the next edition of Affordable Art Fair, taking place in Battersea Park (16-20 October, 2024).

Sign up to our newsletter for updates and ticket offers.