Must-see: 9 new galleries debuting at Battersea Spring 2024
It’s time to meet the brand new galleries making their Affordable Art Fair debut this spring!
Affordable Art Fair
Monday 12 February, 2024
Edward Thompson, 'Where the windmill stood, the ghostly miller', digital c-type print on Fuji crystal archive paper, edition of 20, £850, Kingsford Gallery
Affordable Art Fair Battersea returns this spring (6 – 10 March), showcasing the best in contemporary art from around the world. Amongst the many highlights, nine galleries will be making their debut, introducing a gorgeous selection of fresh artworks to the mix! Let’s get to know them…
“This will be our first ever overseas art fair! We’re looking forward to the feedback from collectors in London.”
Art Actually
East meets West
This spring we’re thrilled to welcome Hong Kong-based galleries Art Actually and Art Current Gallery to the fair, specialising in artworks which seamlessly fuse Eastern tradition with Western aesthetics.
This marks a significant milestone for Art Actually, as this will be their inaugural overseas fair, and we couldn’t be more excited! Among their roster of fantastic artists is Terence Teo, who has garnered worldwide admiration for his abstract ink paintings. His works skillfully transcend the boundaries between traditional Chinese ink art, calligraphy, and contemporary art.
Art Current Gallery will be representing a fantastic roster of artists at the fair, including Evan Wu, whose work has been exhibited all over the world! He encourages reflection on the impermanence of life, the importance of maintaining inner purity, and the challenge of cultivating a kind heart in the face of adversity.
“Our mission is to curate a collection of artworks that resonates with the very essence of the soul.”
Art Current Gallery
We’ll also be welcoming Olive Gallery, a small team of talented artists living in different corners of the world. Among many highlights is work by Smrita Swarup, a Singapore based artist who creates bold canvases using acrylic, oil, watercolour and batik. We love her skillful use of dramatic colour palettes which creates a beautiful chemistry of colour on the canvas.
A French connection
Hailing from Masevaux in France, JustBEE Gallery forges close links with artists and art lovers in France, Germany and Switzerland. They’ll be presenting a collection of ceramics, porcelain objects, steel sculptures, abstract paintings and gumprints – so there’s plenty here to feast on!
Discover award-winning artist Karima Duchamp, who explores human vulnerability, fragmentation, and intimacy through her ceramics, paintings, and drawings. Her vibrant sculptures and large paintings delve into the essence of clay and paint, emphasising the significance of time in their composition.
JustBEE Gallery will also present a series of prints by artist duo, Petr Beránek and Didier Guth – each totally unique, offering the perfect investment for collectors.
“We’re thrilled to present a thoughtfully curated selection of artworks, each crafted with a distinct creative process.”
Kingsford Gallery
Hometown recruits
It would be remiss of us to not highlight the wonderful new galleries joining us from right here in our hometown.
Kingsford Gallery will be bringing textile works by Shelly Goldsmith and Jessie Cutts. Using complex and innovative printing methods, Shelly prints both on and with garments, imprinting the ghostly remnants of voluminous dresses in deep inky blue. Jessie creates vibrant and textural hand-stitched art quilts. Working with deadstock fabrics, trimmings and offcuts, she breathes new life into discarded materials, infusing her work with a sense of purpose and responsibility towards the environment.
Their work will be accompanied by Edward Thompson’s conceptual photo project, The Unseen. Thompson brings together a series of haunting and uncanny images that explore the boundaries of our perception utilising a rare deadstock infrared film exposing wavelengths invisible to the human eye. You may have seen his work earlier this year in Saatchi Gallery… it’s hard to miss!
Another welcome addition is Synergy Fine Art – a collaboration between Gallery Different and Sheridan Russell Gallery. The two galleries combined their artist rosters to create Synergy, featuring an enviable line-up of artists including charming paper dresses pieces by Annie Heyworth!
“For centuries, the glow of precious gold has seduced Kings and Queens; the love of gold has impacted the course of history. This collection honours that legacy with a contemporary flair. ”
McKay Williamson
Our final London newbie is the Notting Hill based, McKay Williamson who will be curating a set of artworks containing gold. Ritva Georgiades uses gold in her mesmerising and delicate découpage. Magdalena Morey applies gold to her abstract landscapes. Juave treats carved tulip oceanscapes with white gold.
In the flesh
One of the many great things about an art fair is that they give online-only galleries a chance to showcase their works in a physical space. One such gallery that we can’t wait to see in-person is Toxic Arts. Blending the contemporary with the urban, Toxic believe that we all have an element of toxicity within us. This “dark side” is something we often try to suppress, but it is from the depths of this place that real art comes from. Call us intrigued…
To date, Art Gazette has worked with over 600 artists from over 30 countries. One particular standout is Keiko Yanagisawa. Yanagisawa channels her energy into traditional Japanese style and colour with a modern and personal twist. She finds her inspiration mostly from nature, saying: “The natural world surrounding us is the single most intricate and perfect form of art.” Yanagisawa’s work typically depicts flora, interiors and architectural details through elegant and fragile pen drawings, which are then brought to life by her choice of contrasting, strong colours and hues. We love!
So if you’re on the hunt for stunning original artwork, be sure to visit these fantastic newcomers at Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring this March. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the art world, it’s the perfect opportunity to grow your collection and find your next art obsession.
Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring will showcase 113 exhibiting galleries from the UK and all over the world, alongside a packed programme including special exhibitions, Art After Dark Lates, Family Hour and much more. Join us, 6 – 10 March!
Author