London Art Fair 2023: What To Expect
Words Shemaiah Gold
London Art Fair is back for its 35th edition this week. Good art, bad art and everything in between - here is what to expect!
London Art Fair kicks off our 2023 world of astonishing art with the annual fair commencing from today up until 22nd January. With over 200 galleries returning to the grade two listed former Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, now in its thirty-fifth year, you're very spoilt for choice. The fair this year, offers both seasoned and aspiring collectors a diverse presentation of modern and contemporary art, alongside curated displays, and an extremely inspiring programme of talks, panel discussions and artist insights. Alongside the Brit galleries, an exceptional line-up of Modern and Contemporary galleries represented from across the globe, including Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Japan and Australia displaying both established artists and the exciting newcomers to look out for this year.
A panel on ‘The Fine Art of Commissioning’ will explore how collectors move on from building a collection to commissioning an artist to create a unique work, for either a private home or public space as well as many other sensational live performances, immersive installations, and a fully packed programme of talks and tours.
Curated selections include Platform, returning for its 5th edition, presenting a collection of galleries whose artists collaborate with inspiring individuals, reframing the muse as an empowered and active agent in the story of art. ‘Reframing the Muse’, invites viewers to consider the instrumental role played by diverse, real-life individuals, past and present, beyond the frame. The 2023 edition of Platform will shine a spotlight on art history’s most enduring subject, the muse. It aims to highlight the diverse individuals, past and present, who have inspired artists to draw, sculpt, paint or photograph their immortalising portrait. Turning the tables on traditional accounts, it will invite questions about the collaborative role of the muse, beyond romanticised notions of the passive model. The exhibition will be curated by art historian and author Ruth Millington, whose recently published book ‘Muse’ (Penguin, 2022) reclaims the term in a narrative that celebrates the contributions of artists’ remarkable, real-life models.
Through Platform 2023, participating galleries will bring to life the people behind great pieces of art, reframing the muse as an active agent in the story of art. Taking centre stage, these muses will prove that they have long commanded a crucial place in art history, while they are still an influential force in today’s contemporary art world. Audiences will meet the muses of established names such as Peter Doig, to emerging artists such as Nikoleta Sekulovic and Golnaz Afraz.
This MUSE Platform will be accompanied by an events programme, including a related performance and a panel discussion in partnership with Sotheby’s Institute of Art, about the role of the muse in the modern world.
There is something for every art collector or investor, so do not expect to need to sell your kidneys on the black market to make any purchases. Expect to be able to browse freely with an open mind, confident that you will see at least one piece or story to be inspired by.
London Art Fair continues to champion and support regional museums through its annual Museum Partnership, Its specialism in Modern art continues to be strongly represented through the participation of some of the UK's leading galleries in the field. This year’s annual museum partnership is with London’s Ben Uri Gallery and Museum which recognises the rich contribution to British Art made by Jewish, immigrant and refugee artists greatly complimenting Photo50, just opposite Platform, which has returned this year offering Beautiful Experiments, curated by Pelumi Odubanjo and Katy Barron which brings together the work of multigenerational women photographers whose practice engages with their diasporic heritage, and through their lens explores domestic life and the home as not only a physical place but also a space of memory and generational exchange.
Then, Encounters, the new section launching at London Art Fair 2023 curated by journalist, curator, and member of the Encounters Selection Committee, Pryle Behrman. Showcasing the freshest contemporary art from across the globe featuring young, up-and-coming galleries eager to present their emerging artists on a major platform alongside established names who are creating new and exciting work, taking their practice in a different direction.
Tickets
On show will be works by artists from the 20th century right up to the present. The premier pass is the most expensive ticket at £38.50. Regular day tickets are available from £19.50. If you’re heading after work, there are evening tickets too at a very reasonable £13.00.
Getting There
The easiest underground station by far is Angel on the Northern line. From there, it’s about a five minute walk.