Ramsay Fairs is delighted to announce that the company has purchased British Art Fair from Robert and Johnny Sandelson, and this revered art fair will join their portfolio of art fairs with immediate effect.

The next edition of British Art Fair takes place 29 September - 2 October 2022 at Saatchi Gallery. Following in the footsteps of its history over three decades, the fair will feature the very best Modern and Contemporary British Art. It will be held on the ground and first floors of Saatchi Gallery, whose spacious galleries lend themselves to the elegant display of art.

Under the Sandelson brothers' ownership, British Art Fair mounted two successful fairs at Saatchi Gallery in 2018 and 2019, alongside memorable exhibitions celebrating the works of Ivon Hitchens, Alan Davie, Anthony Caro, Bridget Riley and a YBA exhibition curated by Gavin Turk. Robert Sandelson said “we really enjoyed our stewardship of this most venerable institution, and happily entrust its future success under its new ownership".

Gay Hutson, the co-founder of British Art Fair said “under their ownership, the Sandelson brothers took the fair to this fantastic new location and really helped raise the bar celebrating Modern British and Contemporary Art. Under Ramsay Fairs’ umbrella, we can look forward with confidence to future editions".

Will Ramsay said: “I have been a life-long fan of the British Art Fair, and it is a privilege to be a part of its journey; the fair adds another dimension to my portfolio. I look forward to hosting the 31st edition at Saatchi Gallery with a spectacular celebration of artistic diversity and talent from across the UK. We are delighted that Robert Sandelson has agreed to join our Advisory Committee to ensure a smooth transition”.

British Art Fair announces the launch of SOLO CONTEMPORARY - a new platform at the 2022 fair dedicated to showing the very best contemporary British art. Ten of Britain’s leading contemporary art dealers have been invited to exhibit in a dedicated space on the second floor of London’s Saatchi Gallery for British Art Fair. Each SOLO CONTEMPORARY dealer will be showing the work of one artist.

This addition to British Art Fair (now in its 31st edition) is the brainchild of the fair’s new owner Will Ramsay, in collaboration with artist-curator Zavier Ellis. British Art Fair has a history of successfully supporting the careers of artists, from the Post-war and Modern British artists through to the YBAs. The SOLO CONTEMPORARY artists are the latest to be shown under the British Art Fair umbrella, putting their work in the spotlight of this niche marketplace.

Gay Hutson, Founding Director, British Art Fair says:

"The British Art Fair was founded in 1988 by a group of selected dealers specifically to promote the most talented British artists of its time, most of whom apart from Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth were unknown and undervalued on the international market, but now many of whose work commands very high prices. SOLO CONTEMPORARY gives us the opportunity to continue with this vital part of the fair.”

Zavier Ellis, curator of SOLO CONTEMPORARY says:

"I'm delighted to curate SOLO CONTEMPORARY at British Art Fair. The dialogue between contemporary and ModBrit artists is a profound one and we will seek to illustrate that relationship. I am also keen to emphasise the shifting parameters of what a gallery is, particularly in the post-Covid era. SOLO CONTEMPORARY includes curatorial projects and galleries that have alternative models as well as the standard."

For SOLO CONTEMPORARY Galleries and Artists visit British Art Fair Exhibitors

WITH LESS THAN ONE MONTH TO GO UNTIL WE OPEN OUR DOORS,

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR FAIR HIGHLIGHTS:

'Good Morning My Sweet’

By the painter, poet, textile designer, jeweller, teacher, and jazz musician who was Alan Davie.
Davie’s estate is represented by British Art Fair exhibitor Alan Wheatley who will be bringing a series of works.

Craig Wylie - A slice of sublime

'L'Origine du Monde (After Courbet)', a work by contemporary British artist Craig Wylie,
one of the highlights with Jonathan Cooper at British Art Fair this month

Barbara Rae - Informed by exploration

Works by Barbara Rae such as the monotype ‘Night Gate’ shown here are currently featured in
an exhibition with Open Eye Gallery as part of the Edinburgh Festival.

Visit British Art Fair for more information.