The Other Art Fair - Spring 2017

About

Presented in association with Saatchi Art, The Other Art Fair (TOAF) is the U.K.’s leading fair for emerging and unrepresented artists. Since its launch in 2011, TOAF has welcomed more than 140,000 visitors from around the world to its fairs and facilitated total sales in excess of £2.5 million, while becoming a popular fixture of the London art scene.  

Highlights of an exciting programme at the upcoming London fair include exclusive tours with Saatchi Art’s Chief Curator Rebecca Wilson, offering expert insight into a carefully curated selection of artists and their work as part of Saatchi Art’s ‘Invest in Art’ programme.

This year also sees the return of ‘London Futures’: a chance to see work by more than 15 hand-picked artists who will be showing in London for the first time.  An astonishingly varied array of sculpture, works on paper, photography and painting will be on display, with the participating artists whittled down from a record 1000+ applications by a team of experts.

This year’s selection committee consists of Saatchi Art’s Chief Curator Rebecca Wilson, British design icon Lulu Guinness and Kate Bryan, the current Head of Collections for the Soho House Group. 

The activity-packed programme for Spring 2017 will again offer a great visitor experience, with something to interest all ages. The Guardian will invite visitors to explore a virtual world with' ‘Underworld’; a rare insight into the subterranean labyrinth of London’s Victorian sewers beneath the city’s busy streets. Younger visitors can participate in creative art activities and crafty challenges in the popular Kids Create corner. Children’s activities are free of charge and suitable for all ages. 
Visitors can refuel throughout the day by visiting one of the bars or pop-up refreshment stands. Fusing everyday cooking with modern ingredients and new for 2017, The Modern Pantry restaurant presents a delightfully delicious menu by leading chef Anna Hanson.   
 
Every edition of the fair features an internationally renowned Guest Artist, with limited edition works of art created exclusively for the fair. Past Guest Artists include Martin Parr, Tracey Emin and Gavin Turk. The spring 2017 Guest Artist will be announced in early March.  
The London fair in autumn 2016 saw a 20% increase in visitor numbers, with the total combined UK visitors for the year surpassing 32,000, and this fair was the first to present TOAF’s new collaboration with global online platform Saatchi Art. Participating TOAF artists are also featured on Saatchi Art’s online gallery, joining an international powerhouse of emerging talent, including more than 50,000 artists from 100 countries.  
Purchasing affordable art at the fair is now easier than ever before; with TOAF joining the Arts Council’s ‘Own Art’ initiative. Own Art allows buyers to spread the cost of a purchase over 10 months with an interest free loan. 
 
TOAF’s unique premise of championing individual artists has earned it media praise, leading to considerable professional interest from some of London’s top contemporary art galleries.