The 27th London Art Fair returns to Islington’s Business Design Centre from 21 January and promises the best and biggest event yet. Here are 11 artists’ work we are particularly looking forward to seeing
1 JOSEPH WALSH
Cork-based designer Joseph Walsh creates one of a kind and limited edition pieces out of wood in a truly unique style (one example pictured above). In his own words, he says: ‘I believe we can enhance the quality of our lives by surrounding ourselves with objects that possess values beyond their function or aesthetic, that possess intelligence in their creation, which one can interact with and that will stimulate senses each and every time one engages with them.’ He founded his studio and workshop in 1999, and consistently seeks to challenge and disrupt existing working practice in achieving the ambitious pieces.
2 EILEEN COOPER
Eileen Cooper’s imagery is inspired by Diana and Actaeon and other myths, where the protagonists take centre stage in lucid images of fated lovers, the hunted and the beautiful. Fluid simplicity of these prints reveals Eileen’s interest in drawing and fine graphic sensibility. They are at once surprising and familiar, each a metaphor for the human condition, depicted with certain awareness of their enduring relevance. Pictured, courtesy of Rabley Gallery, is the beautiful Diana and Actaeon, which will be on show at the London Art Fair.
3 ANGUS FAIRHURST
With work on show at the London Art Fair courtesy of Paul Stolper, it’s an opportunity to revel in the conceptual art, photography, painting and installations of the English artist Angus Fairhurst (1966-2008). Angus is associated primarily with the Goldsmith College Group, sometimes known as the ‘Freeze Generation’, which emerged in the late 1980s. In February 1988, as a second-year student, Angus organised a small group exhibition at the Bloomsbury Gallery of the University of London Institute of Education: it included, alongside his own work, art by fellow students Mat Collishaw, Abigail Lane and Damien Hirst. Pictured is Proposal for a Public Space from 2006.
4 DAVID SHRIGLEY
The Multiple Store will be bringing David Shrigley’s Brass Tooth to the Business Design Centre for London Art Fair. By hugely exaggerating the size of the common molar, David plays on our fear of the dentist’s chair, but confounds us by making it in solid, heavy brass. It’s best summed up by the artist himself: ‘Brass Tooth is one of the heaviest small artworks that I have made. I imagine it will appeal to dentists and other people who are interested in teeth. It could also be used for cracking nuts with.’
5 DOMINIC HAWGOOD
Dominic Hawgood is an artist combining photography, CGI, lighting design and installation. Within his work three main themes persist: a fascination with technology, states of mind, and the removal of something from the real world. He takes inspiration from things he observes, studying, isolating and reconstructing, and there is a constant drive to conjure something through the work. Curiosity pushes him to explore subject matter that is intangible – he harbours a desire to connect with feelings he hasn’t experienced, and investigates topics that inhabit the imaginary spaces of people’s minds.
6 EDUARDO PAOLOZZI
The man recently in the news for tutoring Nicole Farhi as she unveiled her debut exhibition, Eduardo Paolozzi (1924-2005) goes down in history as one of the most important and inventive British sculptors of the 20th century. For London Art Fair, Bowman Sculpture will be showcasing Eduardo’s work including Kalasan (1973-74), a piece of work made in aluminium.
7 JAN KEMPENAERS
Jan Kempenaers’ photographs of landscapes altered by man forestall the nostalgia that has, over time, become typical for the picturesque. They force the viewer to remain in the present and think about its conditions and its future, and about the forces threatening our environment. Jan’s renowned Spomenik series – which you can see at London Art Fair, courtesy of Breese Little – chart World War Two monuments built in the 1960s and 70s across the Balkans in the former Yugoslavia.
8 JON TONKS
Jon Tonks’ series, Empire, follows his journey across the South Atlantic, exploring life on four remote islands – the British Overseas Territories of Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha, the Falkland Islands and St Helena – relics of the once formidable British Empire, all intertwined through their shared history. Travelling 60,000 miles around the Atlantic over six years, Jon spent up to a month at a time in each territory, documenting these landscapes and within them traces of imperial history. James Hyman Gallery will be showcasing his work, including A Gather of Sheep, photographed at Long Island Farm.
9 LUCIAN FREUD
London Art Fair 2015’s museum partner will be the award-winning Pallant House Gallery, who will exhibit key works from their permanent collection within a dedicated pavilion space at the front of the Fair. One piece on show will be Lucian Freud’s (1922-2012) Self-Portrait with Hyacinth in Pot, 1947-48. It will form part of a special exhibition curated by Simon Martin, Artistic Director of Pallant House Gallery, entitled The Figure in Modern British Art.
10 SUSIE MACMURRAY
Susie MacMurray is a British artist whose work includes drawing, sculpture and architectural installations. A former classical musician, she retrained as an artist and, today, an engagement with materials and with the body is at the heart of Susie’s practice. Her role is one of an alchemist: combining material, form and context in deceptively simple ways to stimulate both physical and cultural associations within those who encounter her work. Susie is represented in the UK and Europe by Merville Galleries.
11 THORSTEN BRINKMANN
Thorsten Brinkmann is one of the nine photographers selected for the latest edition of Photo50 at London Art Fair 2015. Entitled Against Nature, the exhibition will be curated by Sheyi Bankale of Next Level Projects. Thorsten’s ‘photo assemblages’ incorporate staged photos in which he plays the leading role, whilst always remaining unnoticed or unrecognisable.
The London Art Fair runs from 21-25 January at the Business Design Centre in Islington. To see more information on these artists and the full programme, visit londonartfair.co.uk
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