12 new galleries to watch at our Hampstead Fair

We’re inching ever-closer to the 10^th Edition of our Hampstead Fair (5 – 8 May), and we can’t wait to mark the occasion with our incredible selection of galleries and talented artists, specially curated displays, a landmark installation and emerging artist spotlights. From over 100 leading galleries showing at the fair, we are thrilled to be welcoming a host of first time exhibitors to Hampstead Heath as they make their Affordable Art Fair debut.

For fresh work by contemporary Italian artists make sure to visit PRINCE ART GALLERY (Stand A10). For music-loving art buyers who are looking for a sprinkling of punk, don’t miss The Art Hound Gallery (Stand A9). Based in a converted barn in Cambridgeshire, they offer the very best in Pop, Urban and Contemporary art, including limited edition photographic prints of icons Taylor Hawkins and Amy Winehouse by renowned photographer Scarlet Page (daughter of Led Zepellin’s Jimmy Page).

Travelling down south from Edinburgh with a selection of new paintings are first-time-exhibitors, Morningside Gallery (Stand  L4), whilst Zoom Gallery, based in South Korea (Stand B10) and Art Gallery Malé from the Maldives, (Stand K8) join the fair from further flung locations.

We’re also pleased to be welcoming Camden Black Creatives (CBC) to Affordable for the first time. Their mission is to bring more visibility to the work of established and up-and-coming Black creatives across the London Borough of Camden, with works by founder Caroline Chinakwe amongst other up and coming artists to watch.

With work covering a huge array of styles, there’s something for everyone at Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead! Do pop and see our new galleries at the fair to give them a warm welcome and discover some brand new artists!

We caught up with a few of the new 2022 cohort to see what they are most looking forward to about the fair.

Air Contemporary, Stand E3

A new venture from Maria Morrow, the former Director of London’s Portland Gallery, Air Contemporary was established in 2020. Their roster boasts the likes of David Shrigley, Peter Clark and Babak Ganjei amongst others. Affordable Art Fair Hampstead will be their first fair since launching – so we asked Maria what we can look forward to from this fresh gallery!

What can we expect from Air Contemporary?

There’s something for everyone, with an eclectic mix to suit all tastes and budgets! Ceramics and works on paper starting at as little as £85, up to fantastic top-level paintings and mixed media works by established British artists. In between those we have some really wonderful screenprints ranging from £200 – £800.

What does Air Contemporary do best?

It’s the ultimate art cliché, but we really believe that art should be accessible for all. No matter what our clients are looking for we are always happy to help.  Working closely with our artists is very important too – we are all on the same team. 

Air Contemporary

Bay Gallery Home, Stand D10

The only dedicated Aboriginal gallery in the UK, Bay Gallery Home showcases the work of artists hailing from communities in the Northern Territory of Australia. Expect to see an incredible array of colourful, textured and highly-patterned paintings on their Hampstead stand (D10).

What are you most looking forward to about exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair?

It’s our first Affordable Art Fair and perhaps the first time a gallery has exclusively exhibited Aboriginal art at the Hampstead fair. Over the years we have enjoyed watching the wonder on people’s faces as they engage with the paintings.

The art leaves a lasting emotional impression on people that we can’t wait to experience in Hampstead.

Bay Gallery Home

Which artists should we be keeping an eye out for?

All of them! People are attracted to the wildly different styles and colour palettes on offer. Two of our favourites are the established Maise Bundey Petyarre and emerging artists Jacinta Pula Morrison.

Camden Open Air Gallery, Stand E7

North London locals Camden Open Air Gallery (or COAG) are on a mission to celebrate the rich cultural offerings of the area. Developed during lockdown, COAG’s artistic focus on street art showcases both Camden’s iconic history and current creative output. The brainchild of Fin Brewster Doherty, the gallery is rapidly establishing itself as a fresh new voice in the contemporary art world. Here’s what Fin had to say…

What are you most looking forward to about exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair?

For me and my gallery it’s a big step for us, having started painting shutters down Camden high street this time last year, I never thought I’d be able to have a stand at the Affordable Art Fair. As a platform for up-and-coming artists, I’m most looking forward to seeing the reaction to us and what we are trying to do. But more importantly I’m excited to see what it means for our artists.

What does Camden Open Air Gallery do best?

Camden Open Air Gallery was started to help artists who have the talent but not necessarily the means to take that next step.

I think that’s what we do best is creating a platform from which artists can get their name out there and ultimately make it their main source of income.

Canfas Gallery, Stand D9

Newcomers Canfas Gallery are the go-to destination for visitors looking for the best in contemporary Welsh painting. With 4 gallery spaces and a regularly changing display of paintings, ceramics, prints and sculptures, Canfas Gallery are not short on quality art! Curated by artist and illustrator Anne Cakebread, we asked Anne what was on the cards for Canfas gallery at Hampstead.

What can we expect from Canfas Gallery?

We live in a beautiful coastal area of Wales and have a strong tradition of folk-art and landscape painting. Our cultural heritage and the Welsh language impact all aspects of our lives and this is reflected in our artists’ work. We have work that is political, social and fantastical, as well as those that through our language and history bring a different perspective to Affordable Art Fair.

Which artists should we be keeping an eye out for?  

Highly collectable, Meinir Mathias’ work tackles ideas surrounding protest by contemporising the Welsh cross-dressing ‘Rebecca Rioters’ of the early 19^th Century and contextualising them in the current political and cultural climate.

The Bakery, Stand E8

Located on the iconic Portobello Road, the Bakery is not your run of the mill, white-cube gallery space. Rather this artist-run gallery is housed within a 19^th century bakery, complete with a cast iron oven and an original granary. They will be showing the work of eight members of the collective, with styles ranging from figure studies and still life’s to abstract colour works. We caught up with painter, Kate Domash to get the rundown on The Bakery.

What can we expect from The Bakery?

You can expect eight exciting and diverse contemporary artists, all of whom draw inspiration from the world around them but interpret it in different ways. While each artist has his or her own style, I would say all of the work is of a similarly high quality and has a common thread of artistic integrity that really shines through.

I think the distinguishing factor is that any time you stop by the stand, you’ll be speaking with one of the artists, so you can get a better understanding of what our work is about and where each piece came from.

The bakery

Finish the sentence: head to our stand if you are looking for …

Authentic, accessible, high-quality work by new artists. 

OWL, Stand F8

Created by artists: Hans Borgonjon, Rebecca Wordsworth, Phaedra Politis, Tess Chodan, Annemarie Blake and David Daniels, OWL is an artist-led establishment in the medieval town of Frome. Seling works ranging from glass and ceramic sculptures to prints and paintings, this small group of artists cover a vast array of styles. We caught up with Phaedra Politis to learn more.

What are you most looking forward to about exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair?

We, as a small collective of artists, are very proud to showcase, not only of our individually made art creations but of how a little community of artists can be so incredibly supportive, self-reliant self-governing and innovative.

Finish the sentence: head to our stand if you are looking for …

Innovative and bold abstract sculptures, beautiful expressionistic paintings, a flurry of exquisite assemblage art works, gorgeous glimmering glass art and landscapes that lead you off to faraway places.

Thank you to all our first time exhibitors for giving us an insight into galleries their plans for the fair!  Click below for the full list of exhibiting galleries and be sure to come and see them in person at the special 10^th edition of Affordable Art Fair Hampstead, 5 – 8 May.

Featured image: Xander Coy, Smile, screenprint, £350, Camden Open Air Gallery