| Brighton Art Fair is in its last couple of weeks in for all those Brightonians who to visit for its 20th anniversary edition with over 100 exhibitors
Brighton Art Fair is here for a special 20th anniversary edition. The city’s flagship contemporary art fair returns to the beautifully restored Brighton Dome Corn Exchange to show painting, photography, printmaking, 3D and mixed media works by over 100 artists from across the UK. Organised by Brighton duo Tutton & Young, Brighton Art Fair embraces the city’s reputation for incredible visual culture, presenting both emerging and established artists with a versatile showcase of works for sale ranging from £100 to £5,000. Bounty of Botanicals |
Steve Gallagher Delicate Decay No. 2, 2023, Fine art photograph, archival pigment print
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| Botanical art is on trend this year as the beauty of flowers are captured in striking photographic images by Steve Gallagher, Dianna Jazwinski, and Emma Harris whose still lifes pay homage to Dutch Masters. Referencing botanical collections, Elaine Sheppard Bolt creates framed ceramic and mixed media compositions inspired by Sussex woodland and shoreline, and Frances Doherty looks to the mathematics of plants as a study for her multi-layered and flamboyant stoneware sculptures. Flowers also appear in Andrea Curtis’ interior design inspired still life collages and in the highly sought-after paintings of London-based artist Emma Forrester.
Lie of the Land |
Rachael Stedman, View from Ditchling Beacon, Acrylic on board.
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| Sussex landscape is a recurring theme in the works of painters at Brighton Art Fair.  Landmarks in Sussex including The Ashdown Forest, South Downs National Park, Hope Gap, Firle, and the River Ouse, are captured by established Sussex artists Rachael Stedman, Laura Darling, Matthew Cordwell and Ruth Waters .  Popular Brighton artist, Faye Bridgwater devotes her paintings to the region’s bold cliffs and rolling hills in her bright and distinctive abstract style. The more subdued abstract pieces by Kate Wickham reference the land surrounding her Sussex studio.  Mark Monroe Preston’s focus is ancient Sussex trees, depicted in incredible detail through a process of painting, photography, and collage.
Inky Fingers |
Flora McLachlan, Ride a Wild Goat, Etching
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| Sussex is known for world-class printmaking studios and practioners, and this field is particularly strong in the 20th Anniverary Fair. A number of printmaking groups and publishers are exhibiting such as Brighton’s own Unlimited and Inkspot Press. Among the prints to look out for are etchings by Jo Riddell and Heike Rosel and the magical fairytale worlds of Flora McLachlan inspired by living by the wild moors of West Wales.
Collectible Collectives |
Roman Klonek, Twisted by the Plot, Woodcut print with Atelier beside the Sea
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| Galleries and art collectives taking part include: Atelier beside the Sea whose stand has a focus on printmakers such as the Polish artist Roman Klonek; ROSA Magazine who will be showing a curated selection of work by Sussex artists; Chalk Gallery, Lewes, with a showcase of 15 artists working across various media, and Lewes Contemporary, a group of women artists who share a passion for drawing.
New Generation Sculpture |
Paul Morley, T-Bone Angie, Slab Built Earthenware Abstract Sculpture.
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| Works in 3D include Shirley Vauville’s playful ceramic assemblages inspired by creatures, birds and plants; and meticulous wooden reliefs by Will Storey (aka Life in Layers), which are remarkable in their precision and scale. Paul Morley constructs brutalist style sculptures, hand built from various clay and decorated in various glazes and underglazes, informed by his interest in architectural designs including soviet bus stops, lido diving platforms and pylons.
New Partners Brighton Art Fair partners with DRAW Brighton this year, who will be offering theme life drawing workshops on each afternoon of the Fair, and CASS Art, who will hold a shop at the entrance. ROSA Magazine is a media partner. Launched in 2004, Brighton Art Fair provides a great opportunity for visitors looking to invest in art or simply hang stunning original works on their walls. |
