Feeling Inspired?
Emer Grant
The Inspired Art Fair takes place within a landscape that has undergone a dramatic expansion over the last decade. London is now the center of Europe’s art market, and is acknowledged as the second largest art marketplace in the world after New York. We are witnessing the growth of fairs and biennials as they become the platform in which art can be showcased to meet the demands of an increasing art market on the stage of internationalism. The Inspired Art Fair, which ran from November 17th to the 21st, showcases some of the most talented undiscovered artists in the city, and provides a unique opportunity for both artist and viewer to experience internationalism in the contemporary arts. The Inspired Art Fair seeks to "level the playing field in the art world," states organizer Jo George.
"I am an artist myself and no stranger to the difficulties entailed in being an artist. Throughout my short career, I found that while my work has been greatly received, by both the public and private collectors alike, certain opportunities were closed to me." It is an attempt to give international artists a chance to display and sell their work independently.
Inspired Art Fair ‘05 is situated under 30,000 sq. ft. of vaulted arches beneath London Bridge. The unique identity of the Fair is marked by its distinguishing location, as the character of the Fair is enhanced by its remarkable surroundings. The Fair provides a stunning platform for over 100 international emerging artists, studio groups and recent graduates to reach a wide audience of buyers, galleries and press. For the visitor, the Fair represents a unique opportunity to discover artists at an early stage in their career and to buy artwork directly from artists. The Inspired Art Fair is staged as an event with the intention of opening doors to artists and the viewing public, creating an exhibition where inspiration is the concept behind the Fair. Contemporary art has changed direction again; it’s all about context, social praxis and the right strategy within the "operating system of art," the opportunity that the Inspired Art Fair provides goes beyond the idea of selling work.
The Fair is unlike any other international art fair in that it is produced by a non-profit organization with the primary aim of exhibiting contemporary work and supporting independent living artists, a concern sometimes overlooked in the realms of contemporary art.
Over 1,000 works are on display and sale from this year’s selected contemporary sculptors, painters, photographers and illustrators. The work is selected by the organizer, Jo George, and a member of the Arts Council, under the criteria that it must be critically engaging, while still accessible to the general public. This is reflected in the exhibition, as there seems to be something for everyone, a friendlier approach to contemporary art, where the artists have embraced the atmosphere of the Fair in claiming their independence in style, in an individual market. The nature of the work is not dictated by the demands of a gallery or media interest.
The work is diverse and of a high standard, this year sees a trend of mixed-media and graphic work contrasted with work that follows the traditional lines of abstract painting and portraiture. The Fair seems to address the idea of attracting a wider audience to the world of contemporary art. The work raises questions and highlights contemporary issues. The Fair gives the public the opportunity to meet artists firsthand to discuss their work without the dealer acting as a middleman. The viewer can engage in critical analysis with the artists, who are there to educate and inform the public. For private collectors, it is a one-stop shop for talent spotting.
The Fair seems to be showcasing not only independent artists but providing platforms for up-and-coming artists and groups. There really is something for everyone, including work on show from the East End Arts Club, exhibiting visual artists such as Hogan Brown. This year the highlights of the Fair come from a range of disciplines. In painting, tradition meets cutting-edge to produce a refreshing breath into a conventional medium. The Fair presents the work of Karen Stampler displaying large, vibrant images of portraiture, yet explored in an individualistic and expressive manner. The dramatic markings bring a layered graphic quality to her work elevating it to an animated presence, reinforcing her views of society, masking a somewhat darker reality. On the opposite side of the spectrum, we see the traditional portraiture of Renato Montanaro, but with a slight twist. Montanaro paints large, graphic, brightly-colored canvases of 18th and 19th Century women of society. He puts a light-hearted twist into an appropriation of 18th Century portraiture. The works are vibrant and unique in composition.
The work of Colin Jarvie stood out in photography. He describes his work as "impressionist documentary." There is a sensitive element of fragility as he documents the banalities of everyday life. There seems to be an intense component of reflection through recognition as he guides us on an inspired journey through photography, complimenting imperfections along the way. There was a lot of interesting three-dimensional works from artists such as Rachel Spring, whilst the delicate work of artist Naomi Mizuno and hauntingly graphic work of Phoebe Boswell reflected the high quality, attention-to-detail and individualism throughout the whole Fair.
The Fair places great emphasis on education and opportunity, with exhibiting universities such as Camberwell College of Arts, Inspired Art Fair exhibits the cream of this year’s illustration graduates. The free daily screenings from B.A and M.A. illustration graduates, and lecturers from Camberwell College of Arts Illustration courses reflect the experimental multi-disciplinary nature of contemporary illustration, and offer IAF-05 visitors the opportunity to broaden their visual experience at the Fair. It not only offers the opportunity of exhibiting, but provides further insight and guidance to artists wishing to enhance their professional development.
Dedicated to supporting and exhibiting an artist’s professional development, Inspired Art Fair has launched an Inspired Learning Program that offers artists and students the opportunity to receive one-to-one business and art practice advice at seminars in a dedicated area of the Fair. With all of this, not to mention the prizes of ?1000 to be given as awards to the best artists in three categories (sculpture, photography and painting) chosen by visitors, how could one not be inspired to participate?
This Fair is an important one, which stands in contrast to others, as it provides limitless opportunities for both artists and viewers. It addresses the importance of expanding the contemporary art market to a wider audience through education, participation and inspiration.
