ARTISTIC LEAP

Although it lasts a mere five days, the annual LONDON ART FAIR is one of the major events on this year’s global art world calendar. BRUCE SCOTT takes a look at the diverse selection of modern and contemporary art set to be unveiled there this month

- BRUCE SCOTT

This year will mark the 34th edition of the London Art Fair (LAF), and galleries from around the world will be making their way to London’s Business Design Centre to participate. Not surprisingly, the lion’s share of those taking part are UK-based, with brand-new exhibitors such as Tanya Baxter Contemporary, David Kovats, and the mainly online Mothflower Gallery, displaying in tandem with such established gallerists as James Hyman, Purdy Hicks, and Richard Green.

The 2022 fair is set to take place from April 20-24, and as always it will offer both seasoned and aspiring collectors a diverse selection of modern and contemporary art to peruse, alongside themed curated displays and a programme of insightful talks and panel discussions. As for prominent UK artists to look out for, Thomas Spencer Fine Art will be including a previously unseen work by the Royal Academist John Nash, while Waterhouse & Dodd’s display focuses on David Bomberg and his students; most notably works by Dennis Creffield Lewes Crescent and the recently re-discovered oil paintings of Dorothy Mead (which have not been shown publicly for over 40 years). As for more recent contemporary pieces, the new edition by David Shrigley and Stoney Road Press, courtesy of Jealous Gallery, includes a number of previously unseen Leah Hewson monotypes.

Textiles are having a moment in the art world lately, and those interested in this medium should visit both the James Hyman Gallery, who will be showing a rare and unique handwoven tapestry by R.B. Kitaj, and Candida Stevens Gallery, where contemporary textile/fibre artist Alice Kettle will be displaying a piece entitled ‘Poppy’.