Affordable Art Fair Battersea Autumn 2019

Whether you’re an aspiring collector hoping to spot the next Damien Hirst, looking to unwind with friends and a glass of bubbly, or simply want to spend an art-filled day out with the family, there will be plenty to do and see for everyone. As usual, the fair will present an impressive collection of household names and rising talent, and this edition will showcase more than 1,000 contemporary artworks with prices ranging from £50 to £6,000.

Everything is better with friends, and the Affordable Art Fair is no different. Bring a date or come with a group to the Charity Private View, have a complimentary drink and soak up the party atmosphere. There will be a DJ and roving entertainers, plus you will be among the first to see what’s on offer.

If you can’t make the Private View, never fear. The Thursday Late opening is the perfect place to bring friends. There will be complimentary cocktails, music and the opportunity to have your very own Party Like it’s 1999 screen print made before your eyes. ‘In a collaboration between Affordable Art Fair and Jealous Gallery, Hackney-based printmaker Dave Buonaguidi will be making the prints to order with the option to customise your artwork with your choice of glitter overlay. Purchase your Late View ticket and print package HERE.

Left: Artist Dave Buonaguidi with his Party Like it's 1999 print. Right: Visitors at the Affordable Art Fair

But the '90s fun doesn’t end there. Throughout the fair there will be a range of entertaining workshops to get you channelling your creative side. Try your hand at making your own scrunchie with renowned textile designer Samantha Warren (Wednesday and Thursday evening) or take a workshop in neon portraiture in the style of Gary Hume (Thursday afternoon).

Whether you are an art aficionado, looking to find the next big thing, or on the hunt for works to hang on your walls, there is plenty of help to be had. Take one of the daily guided tours to find the bargains, discover a rising star and explore key pieces that tap into the '90s aesthetic. There will also be a programme of events and talks by some promising young artists and live art demonstrations from collage artists Maria Rivans and Bonnie and Clyde and pop art inspired artist Tim Fowler.

For those who want a head start on what to look out for, here are six of our top picks:

Clockwise from top left: Emily Powell, Painting Bread, Oil and acrylic on canvas, £1,100, The Russell Gallery. Nikoleta Sekulovic, Diotima of Mantinea, Acrylic and graphite on canvas, £6,000, RHG NYC. Bonnie and Clyde, Lesson 1 Happiness, Archival pigment inks with glazes on fabiano fine art paper with torn edges, £700, Liberty Gallery. Laura Fishman, Glacier Blue, Acrylic on canvas, £2,200, Mint Art Gallery. Marcelina Amelia, How to Fill the Void, Fine art hand-coloured and finished print, £420, Liberty Gallery. Laura Fishman, Perfect Moment, Acrlyic on linen, £495, Mint Art Gallery.

There will be an extensive programme of free and family friendly workshops in the creative studio, which are sure to evoke some serious nostalgia. School your kids in some classic '90s culture with a crash course in sketching cartoon favourites such as Bart Simpson and Beavis and Butthead on Friday afternoon, or get stuck into a drawing workshop in the evening.

If you remember using your bedroom walls as an outlet for creative expression as a teenager, then you won't want to miss a workshop with Paperbirds Art Club founder Barbara Roessler, who will show you how to make wall hangings out of recycled materials on Saturday, or, join her to make paper sculptures on Sunday. Don’t forget to pick up your free family pack, filled with things to do from the Creative Studio or Info Desk.

Click HERE for 50% off entry for two people (excluding the Charity Private View, Thursday Late View and Jealous Print Package).

Affordable Art Fair Battersea Autumn 2019 opening hours:

Wednesday 16 October 2019

Private View: 17.30 - 21.30

Thursday 17 October 2019: 11.00 - 17.30

Late View: 17.30 - 21.00

Friday 18 October 2019: 11.00 - 19.00

Saturday 19 October 2019: 11.00 - 18.00

Sunday 20 October 2019: 11.00 - 18.00

Gold Culture Whisper members can redeem a free pair of tickets to the Affordable Art Fair from 16-20 October