The Director’s Cut: Battersea Spring 2024

I’m looking forward to our spring fair in Battersea for many reasons. This year Affordable Art Fair turns 25, and it’s safe to say we’re kicking things off with an incredible line up! Visitors can expect a high standard of diverse artists and exhibitors, with special exhibitions celebrating International Women’s Day and 2024 interior trends, as well as a monumental new installation suspended in the fair’s entrance by Argentinian artist, Alejandro Propato.

But that’s just the start. There will be 1,000s of works on display, with 113 galleries travelling to Battersea Park from the UK and all over the world! It’s been a joy to delve into our galleries list (and would be impossible to mention all the inspiring artists at the fair!), so here are a few that have caught my eye…

Catherine Monmarson, First Contemporary – stand K4

French abstract artist, Catherine Monmarson has an innate need to create. She describes her paintings as a way to know and understand the world. I love her use of colour and the way the works almost seem moving, unfixed, transient. She mainly exhibits in France and Belgium, and so it’s a treat to be able to view her work here in London!

Volker Daniel, Gallery Neuland – stand J3

Another must-see is architect and photographer Volker Daniel, part of the German artist collective, Gallery Neuland. Volker’s close up photography of toy cars is steeped in childhood nostalgia – it reminds me of my own childhood toy cars.

I’m looking forward to seeing the work of Sudanese artist Hussein Salim, exhibiting at the fair for the first time with Barnes Collective. His abstract paintings explore a dialogue between different cultures, using extensive layering motifs to mask or reveal certain elements, influenced by his experience of displacement as a refugee.

Jack Davis, Livingstone St Ives – stand H3

Jack Davis will be showing at Battersea Spring with Livingstone St Ives. He captures celestial Cornish skyscapes in all moods and seasons, with stunning explorations of light.

Rainer Nepita, Dreipunkt Editions – stand G4

I love Rainer’s beautiful etchings exploring the natural world. A recurring motif of hers is falling leaves and plants in various stages of bloom. She’s showing with German gallery Dreipunkt Editions, who specialise in works on paper and are returning to our London fairs after a five year hiatus!

Allen Jones, John Iddon Fine Art – stand C7

You won’t be able to miss bright, figurative work of Royal Academician and pioneer of the British pop art movement Allen Jones, showing at Battersea Spring with contemporary British art specialists John Iddon Fine Art.

Petra Schott, Hancock Gallery – stand F3

You can’t miss the stunning large scale abstracts by German artist Petra Schott, exhibiting with Hancock Gallery. Her work is captivating, and revolves around states of being, the mind, longing and memory.

Cecilia Charlton, Art Gazette – stand A6

Cecilia Charlton will be showing for the first time at Affordable Art Fair Battersea with Art Gazette. Her technicolour, hand sewn textile works bring together traditions of painting, craft, abstraction, and folk art. Through abstract forms, the works’ titles often reveal autobiographical stories, such as issues of mortality, drug use, sexuality, family relationships, and mental health.

Karima Duchamp, JustBEE gallery – stand I3