The 32nd edition of British Art Fair takes place this autumn presenting its annual showcase of the very best Modern British and Contemporary British Art, elegantly installed throughout the museum-style interiors of Saatchi Gallery, London.

Since 1988 British Art Fair has been the flagship fair for Modern British Art, representing celebrated artists including Bridget Riley, Francis Bacon, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney, Terry Frost, John Piper and many more; with distinguished and rare works released to the art market especially for the event.

The fair took a new direction last year under the new ownership of Ramsay Fairs, with the introduction of fresh initiatives. The 2022 edition welcomed a record 10,000 visitors. This year, British Art Fair welcomes 70 dealers to its loyal network of established galleries, who each year deliver an exceptional selection of Modern and Contemporary British Art. Dealers include: Osborne Samuel Gallery, Jonathan Clark Fine Art, Patrick Bourne and Co, Willoughby Gerrish, The Nine British Art, Redfern Gallery and Alan Wheatley Art. The Fine Art Society is among new galleries to the 2023 fair, and those returning include Whitford Fine Art and Robert Upstone.

Crossing Borders: Internationalism in Modern British Art

The contribution to Modern British Art by emigrés and refugees like Neuschul, as well as artists who became long term residents in the UK, is the focus of a broad-based exhibition at British Art Fair 2023 called Crossing Borders: Internationalism in Modern British Art. The exhibition will show works by artists from across the globe including Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Ukraine, Central and Eastern Europe, Australia, Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. It is being compiled by Colin Gleadell, who is on the fair’s advisory committee, and will be curated by art historian and author Monica Bohm-Duchen who edited Insiders/Outsiders: Refugees from Nazi Europe and their Contribution to British Visual Culture, 2019.

CONTEMPORARY BRITISH ART | SOLO CONTEMPORARY

Following on from the success of its launch last year, Zavier Ellis’ is curating a selection of the UK’s most exciting young galleries for SOLO CONTEMPORARY. Each dealer presents a set of works by their chosen rising star. The initiative aligns with British Art Fair’s founding principle to support the careers of emerging British artists.

Zavier Ellis said:“SOLO CONTEMPORARY enjoyed a superb debut in 2022! The critical response and sales were strong; new collectors came to the fair for the first time; and we have excellent galleries with exciting presentations joining in 2023 – watch this space!”

MARKET NEWS | British Art market on the rise

Art Market Columnist and BAF Committee Member, Colin Gleadell reports that the art market has proved remarkably resilient, even buoyant in sectors, in spite of a pandemic, war, and economic turbulence throughout the world. He said “The latest art market report by UBS confirms that turnover in auction rooms and galleries globally has actually improved in the last year, even if by just 3%. A closer look with a microscope would show some areas improving in leaps and bounds. This would include the market for female artists and for previously unrecognised artists; both categories which are amply provided for by the Modern British art market.”

CHARITY NEWS | British celebrities to support WaterAid at British Art Fair

WaterAid, British Art Fair’s official charity for the second year, is running an auction to support its climate action campaign. Last year’s auction ‘Art of Change’ raised over £35,000. The next campaign proposes to surmount this with an exciting auction of works by household name artists and celebrities made specifically for British Art Fair.

Admission: Pre-booking is advised. Tickets will be released in June. Collectors' Preview: £50 and Advance Admission: £20.
Advance Concessions: £17; for over 65s, full time students, and those in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or income support. Proof of concession required. Only available at certain times.
Advance Access Admission: £17; for disabled visitors and Blue Badge holders; free carer/companion ticket.
Under 16s: free; booking required and must be accompanied by an adult.
Prices listed above are not inclusive of booking fees.

Visit British Art Fair for more information.