In our new series, #MyAffordableArt, we talk to our Fair Directors around the world about the artworks they just couldn’t resist taking home from an Affordable Art Fair. From paintings and collage to etchings and screenprints, our team share the purchases they’re most proud of and reveal their art-buying top tips.
We hope their stories and artworks inspire you to discover the joy of collecting art!
“In my day-to-day role, I spend a lot of time carefully considering artists’ techniques, backgrounds and exhibitor suitability for our fairs. However, when it comes to buying art for myself, I’m completely impulsive.”
Blythe takes us through ‘Color Ink’ by We Are Out Of Office and how this small-scale painting from Affordable Art Fair Brussels 2022 prompts her to consider how a small, every day object can connect us to a whole web of memories.
Alan’s picks include a charcoal and graphite collage by Hilmi Johandi and a vivid painted woodblock by Lim Jia Qi. Both artists were winners of our Young Talent Programme in Singapore – Hilmi in 2014 and Jia Qi in 2019.
Alan has a very eclectic taste when it comes to collecting, but is particularly drawn to artworks that depict Singaporean life.
Georgia has picked up a few pieces from fairs over the years, but pride of place in her kitchen is a screenprint of a giant melon by Melbourne based artist, Alice Oehr. Georgia adores the simplicity of the two colours and the effortless line work.
Alice’s work was exhibited in our Discover: Young Talent exhibition at our Melbourne fair in 2019. We love that we’re able to support emerging artists and connect them with art lovers all over the world.
Julie picked up one of Chris Kabel’s ‘Hidden Colours’ at Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam in 2022. By hanging the artwork slightly off the wall, the invisible coloured shapes on the reverse cast a subtle glowing shadow.
Julie credits the gallery, Post Modern Collection for helping her fall in love with it.
Cori Teague is our newest recruit! She joins the team as Fair Director of Affordable Art Fair Austin which launches in 2024.
To get to know her a little better, we sat down to discuss her favourite artwork purchase – a ‘beautifully chaotic’ painting called A little twisted but never lonely by artist duo, Herakut.
“It’s my favorite piece I own and is the center of attention of my living space. I find something new that I love about it every time I’m looking at it.”
Carl has expertly overseen our Stockholm fair for the last three years. He talks us through his favourite art fair purchase – a duo of etchings on Japanese paper, purchased from the Stockholm fair in 2022.
“Looking at art that I have bought through the years works as a reminder for me of who I was at the time, what I was going through, and helps me remember and relate to my past. I rarely buy a piece because it would fit in, on the contrary, I want my pieces to stand out.”
TT fell in love with a painting by Italian artist, Adria Sartore at our first ever Shanghai fair in 2023.
“This work reminds me of what draws me to various museums around the world. It also reminds me of my childhood growing up with my sister and cousins. I put it in my bedroom so it’s the first thing I see when I wake up every morning.”
Erin Schuppert purchased ‘Sultry Sisters’ by Simon Vargas from Wolf and Nomad Gallery at our New York Spring fair in 2022.
“I loved this work because Simon kept calling it his ‘bad girls’ piece and I really felt that vibe. It’s really liberating and fun to have confidence in your own tastes. Buying art can be intimidating, but if you’re buying what you love and like to look at every day, then there’s no wrong answer.”