Amelia’s Magazine | London Art Fair 2014 Review: Our Top Picks

London Art Fair review 2014-Jin-Young Yu at Union Gallery

Jin-Young Yu at Union Gallery.

This year I received invites to the London Art Fair in January thanks to the nice folks at the Catlin Art Prize, but sadly I did not make it along myself because Snarfle was ill. Instead I sent his dad Tim along, with a mission to snap the stuff he liked. I hope you enjoy a round up of the work that caught his eye.

London Art Fair review 2014-ophelia finke

Ophelia Finke’s Explorer has an eery quality to it – why is there a red anorak abandoned on the floor? Did the child wander off into the virtual jungle behind? Where are they now? A closer inspection reveals that the raincoat is delicately crafted from a combination of resin, plastic and paint, it’s immovability rendering it even more strange. Ophelia is one of the finalists who is featured in the Art Catlin Guide for 2014.

London Art Fair review 2014-michael o'reilly

Michael O’Reilly is another artist chosen by Art Catlin, specialising in frantically daubed, bright and often surreal paintings. Greetings, above, suggests a melting animal face, but could the title hint at more?

London Art Fair review 2014-Charlotte Roseberry

The copious squiggles, firm lines and joyful colours used by Charlotte Roseberry call to mind the best of 1980s graphic art – a style that will always find appeal with me, and one that continues to be popular in its modern incarnation. She is our final pick from the Catlin Art Prize selection.

London Art Fair review 2014-dido crosby

Moving on, these enigmatic sheep heads are by Dido Crosby at Jagged Art, who combines a training in both zoology and sculpture. Apparently One Goat and Eight Sheep is made out of unglazed china and taxidermy with glass eyes. I’m a little freaked out, where are the actual goat heads in these? Buried beneath clay? Certainly eye-catching, though I’m not sure I’d want it on my wall.

London Art Fair review 2014-fairies

The Fairies Series by multi-disciplinary duo Davy & Kristin McGuire features tiny videos projected onto kilner jars.

London Art Fair review 2014-Zac freeman

Found objects are assembled into a face by Florida based Zac Freeman at Woolff Gallery, artwork that is best viewed at a distance.

London Art Fair review 2014

This photo comes without any description but I had to include it because it is just so weird. What on earth are those women doing in a bath tub?

London Art Fair review 2014-sarah ball

Sarah Ball’s painting has an intensity that normally only comes from a photograph, with styling that hints at both the modern (that petulant face) and the traditional (the earrings, the hair).

London Art Fair review 2014-envie d'art

London Art Fair review 2014-envie d'art

Robert Bradford at Envie D’Art has glued all sorts of strange objects onto wood to construct this pooch, which takes on a particularly cool quality when viewed from the front.

London Art Fair review 2014-Alexander Korzer-Robinson

Alexander Korzer-Robinson makes intricate collages from cut out books.

London Art Fair review 2014-Nick Jeffrey

Bugs remain a popular decorative theme, as used in this Beetle Orb by Nick Jeffrey at Panter and Hall.

London Art Fair review 2014-magda archer

I saw some photos on instagram as this was being printed at Jealous Gallery, so how apt that Tim should pick out Magda Archer‘s My Life Is Crap, which features a prancing lamb sprinkled with diamond dust.

London Art Fair review 2014-Dave Anderson

A blue English Heritage style plaque bearing the immortal words ‘The Woman Who Sleeps With Your Husband lives here’ comes as a screen print by the brilliant Dave Anderson, also known as Blood Sausage.

London Art Fair review 2014-Tom Butler

London Art Fair review 2014-Tom Butler

Tom Butler at Charlie Smith London makes scary monsters by painting delicate gouache on top of old photographs.

London Art Fair review 2014-Jin-Young Yu

London Art Fair review 2014-Jin-Young Yu

Girls with floating appendages by Jin-Young Yu at Union Gallery look even weirder on closer inspection, with tears of blood, surgical bandages, a bullet wound.

London Art Fair review 2014-alice mara

A digitally printed council flat urn by ceramicist Alice Mara combines tradition and modernity incredibly well. I love this piece.

London Art Fair review 2014-Katharine Morling

London Art Fair review 2014-Katharine Morling

Katharine Morling recreates the debris of everyday life in carefully painted porcelain, arranging them to make curious vignettes.

London Art Fair review 2014-frida kahlo

I am not sure who made Frida Kahlo out of old tiles but she’s fun.

London Art Fair review 2014-Back in 5 Minutes by Valerie Kolakis

A small note bearing the words Back in 5 Minutes by Valerie Kolakis was on sale for £1000, but I am not sure that a push pin cast in 14 carat gold justifies the price tag.

London Art Fair review 2014-African prints

London Art Fair review 2014-African prints

London Art Fair review 2014-African prints

London Art Fair review 2014-African prints

Finally, this collection of joyful African prints made a big impression. Thankyou Tim Adey, I think it’s safe to say we have pretty similar tastes. Just as well eh?!

Categories ,African Prints, ,Alexander Korzer-Robinson, ,Alice Mara, ,Art Catlin Guide, ,Back in 5 Minutes, ,Beetle Orb, ,Blood Sausage, ,Business Design Centre, ,Catlin Art Prize, ,Charlie Smith London, ,Charlotte Roseberry, ,Dave Anderson, ,Davy & Kristin McGuire, ,Dido Crosby, ,English Heritage, ,Envie D’Art, ,Explorer, ,Frida Kahlo, ,Greetings, ,Islington, ,Jagged Art, ,Jealous Gallery, ,Jin-Young Yu, ,Katharine Morling, ,London Art Fair, ,Magda Archer, ,Michael O’Reilly, ,My Life Is Crap, ,Nick Jeffrey, ,One Goat and Eight Sheep, ,Ophelia Finke, ,Panter and Hall, ,Robert Bradford, ,Sarah Ball, ,Snarfle, ,The Fairies Series, ,The Woman Who Sleeps With Your Husband lives here, ,Tim Adey, ,Tom Butler, ,Union Gallery, ,Valerie Kolakis, ,woolff gallery, ,Zac Freeman

Similar Posts:






Amelia’s Magazine | Billbored highlights


Illustration by Leinz

The above scene probably wasn’t too far off how things looked during those first few days after the election, information pills as talks between Nick Clegg and David Cameron opened and a five-day negotiation period ensued. This image is just one of the many political slogans designed by an array of artists, which were projected onto a number of London landmarks during the election campaign.

Billbored’ – launched by POLLOCKS – is an art collective, spearheaded by artist and curator Josef Valentino, who described the project as a viral art initiative aiming to empower people: “The political parties aren’t inspiring us, so we will have to inspire ourselves.”

Featuring initial designs from several artists including M.I.A, Pete Fowler, The Futureheads, Anthony Burrill and Robert Montgomery, this creative venture aimed to encourage and empower general members of the public to develop their own ‘Billbored’ campaigns, showing their personal vision for change.


Illustration by M.I.A.; photography by Cakehead Loves Evil

The submitted visuals were then projected onto the front of key London buildings and structures, including the Tate Modern and Canary Wharf during and after the election period by a team of guerrilla projectionists, gathering support and encouraging further online activity. They were also made available via social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

As David Cameron warms up the bed at No 10 and the campaign draws to a close, we take a look at some of the most eye-catching projections during the election period, providing us with an alternative take on UK politics…


Illustrated by Leinz


Visual by The Futureheads


Visual by Sarah Maple


Visual by Riot Art


Illustration by Neville Brody


Visual by Konrad Wyrebek


Photography by Annabel Staff


Illustration by Josef Valentino; photography by Cakehead Loves Evil


Visual by Hayden Kays; photography by Cakehead Loves Evil


Illustration by Dave Anderson; photography by Cakehead Loves Evil

Categories ,Anthony Burrill, ,Billbored, ,Cakehead Loves Evil, ,Canary Wharf, ,Dave Anderson, ,David Cameron, ,Election, ,Facebook, ,guerrilla, ,Hayden Kays, ,Josef Valentino, ,Kat Phan, ,Konrad Wyrebek, ,M.I.A, ,Neville Brody, ,Nick Clegg, ,Pete Fowler, ,POLLOCKS, ,Riot Art, ,Robert Montgomery, ,Sarah Maple, ,Tate Modern, ,the futureheads, ,twitter

Similar Posts:






Amelia’s Magazine | Billbored highlights


Illustration by Leinz

The above scene probably wasn’t too far off how things looked during those first few days after the election, as talks between Nick Clegg and David Cameron opened and a five-day negotiation period ensued. This image is just one of the many political slogans designed by an array of artists, which were projected onto a number of London landmarks during the election campaign.

Billbored’ – launched by POLLOCKS – is an art collective, spearheaded by artist and curator Josef Valentino, who described the project as a viral art initiative aiming to empower people: “The political parties aren’t inspiring us, so we will have to inspire ourselves.”

Featuring initial designs from several artists including M.I.A, Pete Fowler, The Futureheads, Anthony Burrill and Robert Montgomery, this creative venture aimed to encourage and empower general members of the public to develop their own ‘Billbored’ campaigns, showing their personal vision for change.


Illustration by M.I.A.; photography by Cakehead Loves Evil

The submitted visuals were then projected onto the front of key London buildings and structures, including the Tate Modern and Canary Wharf during and after the election period by a team of guerrilla projectionists, gathering support and encouraging further online activity. They were also made available via social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

As David Cameron warms up the bed at No 10 and the campaign draws to a close, we take a look at some of the most eye-catching projections during the election period, providing us with an alternative take on UK politics…


Illustrated by Leinz


Visual by The Futureheads


Visual by Sarah Maple


Visual by Riot Art


Illustration by Neville Brody


Visual by Konrad Wyrebek


Illustration by Annabel Staff; photography by Cakehead Loves Evil


Illustration by Josef Valentino; photography by Cakehead Loves Evil


Visual by Hayden Kays; photography by Cakehead Loves Evil


Illustration by Dave Anderson; photography by Cakehead Loves Evil



Categories ,Anthony Burrill, ,Billbored, ,Cakehead Loves Evil, ,Canary Wharf, ,Dave Anderson, ,David Cameron, ,Election, ,Facebook, ,guerrilla, ,Hayden Kays, ,Josef Valentino, ,Kat Phan, ,Konrad Wyrebek, ,M.I.A, ,Neville Brody, ,Nick Clegg, ,Pete Fowler, ,POLLOCKS, ,Riot Art, ,Robert Montgomery, ,Sarah Maple, ,Tate Modern, ,the futureheads, ,twitter

Similar Posts:

Bookmark this:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • MySpace
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Technorati
  • LinkedIn

Amelia’s Magazine | A Review of the 2012 Art Car Boot Fair

art car boot fair May 2012
This year’s Art Car Boot Fair was a fantastically hot affair with a distinct lack of shade: not really the place for a newborn Snarfle, who travelled on my chest wrapped up in a leopard print scarf and shaded by a brolly. Lovely though this weather is, plenty of burning tarmac and reflective car surfaces ensured a quick whip around the stalls. Us Brits eh? we’re so bad at coping with extremes of temperature.

art car boot fair May 2012 - pure evil
art car boot fair May 2012 - pure evil
art car boot fair May 2012 - pure evil
Despite the heat the fair was busy, with more mainstream punters than usual which is undoubtedly a better thing for artists, the usual east end pissheads are probably more interested in conviviality than the act of buying. Of particular note was the vast queue winding round the Pure Evil orange van – clearly demonstrating The Apprentice effect. I’m glad to see Charlie finally raking it in.

Here’s what else I saw:

art car boot fair May 2012 -Bob & Roberta Smith
art car boot fair May 2012 -Bob & Roberta Smith
Bob & Roberta Smith was signing ironic placards, accompanied by three lovely girls in well advised wide brimmed hats.

art car boot fair May 2012 -Peter Blake
Peter Blake was selling special Jubilee prints, one of which was purchased as a first investment artwork for Snarfle by his doting dad.

art car boot fair May 2012 -Ian Dawson
Ian Dawson was touting crazy colourful sculptures.

art car boot fair May 2012 -Dave Anderson
art car boot fair May 2012 -Dave Anderson
We were most captivated by the work of illustrator and filmmaker Dave Anderson, showing with Scrawl Collective. Given his zany subject matter it comes as little surprise to find he also writes comedy.

art car boot fair May 2012 -Carrie Reichardt
art car boot fair May 2012 -Carrie Reichardt
art car boot fair May 2012 -Carrie Reichardt
Carrie Reichardt had draped her stall in a colourful Mad in England banner to better display her inimitable ceramic wares.

art car boot fair May 2012 -David David
art car boot fair May 2012 -David David
art car boot fair May 2012 -David David
I absolutely adore David David‘s typography…. and they were selling some wonderful hand printed t-shirts along side their graphic prints too.

art car boot fair May 2012 -pam hogg
Pam Hogg was selling inexplicably cheap signed prints, which may explain why she was so over people taking her photo. Rock and roll!

art car boot fair May 2012 -Double Regina Experience
art car boot fair May 2012 -Double Regina Experience
art car boot fair May 2012 -Double Regina Experience
art car boot fair May 2012 -Double Regina Experience
Next door I experienced the Double Regina Experience from artistic duo The Girls: a bizarre meet and greet with two versions of royalty in a well decorated marquee. Surreal enough for adults – no doubt nightmare inducing for small people. I like that The Girls have created an artistic ideology all their own.

art car boot fair May 2012 -Outline Editions
Beautiful upcycled artwork by Noma Bar and butterfly prints from Kristjana S Williams, (formerly of Beyond the Valley) were flying off the Outline Editions stand.

art car boot fair May 2012 -Cliff Pearcey
art car boot fair May 2012 -Cliff Pearcey
I adored Cliff Pearcey‘s wooden upcycled art, as ever.

art car boot fair May 2012
Car size Scalextric: had the big boys intrigued.

Escargo
art car boot fair May 2012 -Escargo
Escargo – snail racing. As you do!

art car boot fair May 2012 -http://www.matcollishaw.com/
Mat Collishaw was doing a fine job of selling his insect prints.

art car boot fair May 2012 -http://coinsjunkyardsnackbar.tumblr.com/
Mike’s Corn dogs in a shopping cart contraption. Hot work! Rather him than me.

art car boot fair May 2012
art car boot fair May 2012
art car boot fair May 2012
art car boot fair May 2012
art car boot fair May 2012
art car boot fair May 2012
art car boot fair May 2012
art car boot fair May 2012
art car boot fair May 2012
There is an interesting confluence of fine art and street art at the moment and there is no better place to see this in action than at the Art Car Boot Fair – where so many forms of high, low, street and performance art exist happily side by side. Roll on 2013. Can we have some shade please?

All photography by Amelia Gregory.

Categories ,2012, ,Art Car Boot Fair, ,Beyond the Valley, ,Bob & Roberta Smith, ,Carrie Reichardt, ,Cliff Pearcey, ,Dave Anderson, ,David David, ,Double Regina Experience, ,Escargo, ,Jubilee, ,Kristjana S Williams, ,Mad in England, ,Noma Bar, ,Outline Editions, ,Pam Hogg, ,Performance Art, ,Peter Blake, ,Pure Evil, ,review, ,Scalextric, ,Scrawl Collective, ,street art, ,The Apprentice, ,The Girls, ,vauxhall

Similar Posts: