London Art Fair 2024: review
Citywealth Editor and CEO Karen Jones provides a snapshot of her trip to this year’s London Art Fair at the Islington Design Centre.
There are many art fairs in London, and indeed the world, and the London Art Fair which is one on the annual visit list for many. Despite this, it was one I had not attended before. On a blistering cold day, my companion and I fought the Tube midday and cold winds blasting down Islington High Street to see the show.
Fortifying ourselves with a glass of vino in the arts bar which was a little hard to find and empty, (which is good in my book, no queue for the booze and lots of seats available), this allowed for a quick review of the relevant booklet to get orientation and destination art dealers to visit.
Janet Rady Fine Art was our first visit. Janet has a masters degree in Islamic Fine Art; a BA from the School of Oriental and African studies and a thirty five year history in fine art. She was representing Paul Ettedgui at the Encounters section of the fair – the exhibition space is segregated into sections with names. Ettedgui was at the fair and on the stand with Janet and discussed the various artwork which is of “City pathways”. I recognized one of the paintings as Time for Tea in Shoreditch. They are interesting points in the city then offered a painterly lens – so familiar sites with a new perspective. Ettedgui studied at the Camberwell School of Art and then completed his degree in Fine Art at the Kent Institute of Art and Design.
As well as this artist, Janet was also showing Ghada Khunji with art paying homage to Frida Kahlo with themes of love, pain and identity. www.janetradyfineart.com
Other interesting booths and artists included 155A Gallery with still life pencil drawings by Jason Line www.155agallery.com. Having just visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, I was fascinated by these detailed and accurate workings by the artist.
Sponsors included Mundy Cruising who were offering visitors a chance to win a cruise and Visit Malta promoting the island.
The Catto Gallery was showing Philip Jackson Sculpture. Jackson was born in Inverness in 1944. With a venetian lens they offer large scale, landscape or garden size pieces. The prices are reasonable – bronzes are never on the lower end of the price scale – but worth a look if bronze is your thing. Based in Hampstead, the gallery has a long lived pedigree of working with considered artists. www.cattogallery.co.uk
The BWG gallery were showing artist James Dearlove who chose masters style art references – images that we know and love from museums re worked with his style and artist lens. Once again the artist was at the booth and offered his perspective on the tragedy of his particular piece Figures Adrift – figures out to sea in distress – all interesting and modern yet classic. Priced at £4,800 I think this is worth a look. It is acrylic on newspaper and linen. jack@brusheswithgreens.co.uk.
Photography on Crane Kalman Brighton booth sparked beautiful settings from Ellie Davies with chalk streams. Nature driven photos covered with artists layers to produce enhancements and visual effects. Very beautiful and a good talking piece as the artist has a long history of studying nature. www.cranekalmanbrighton.com
For the more avant garde there is artist Yuiko Rayka from Japan www.rayka.jp.
Her body of work focuses on the unknown potential of each of us as human beings and our evolving spirit towards a new era. Much of her work is inspired by her own interdimensional and subconscious experiences and involved light, music, and movement.
Whatever your style and preferences, the London Art Fair offered a good afternoon out with considered art galleries and dealers and a comfortable glass of wine to get your spirit jumping with excitement before considering the exhibits and thoughts of the artists. A few more and who knows you might also make a purchase. Drunk art shopping is my favourite.
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