London art fair - A day of discovery
This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the London Art Fair at the Business Design Centre in Islington. It was an exciting experience to immerse myself in a space charged with talent, passion, and energy. I visited on the last day of the event as collectors made their final choices. The excitement was visible, and it was a wonderful opportunity to explore a wide range of works from well-established and emerging artists, all represented by top-tier galleries. I will certainly be heading back next year. Among the many incredible pieces on display, here are five that particularly caught my eye.
ALEXANDER MASSOURAS
Two Screens, 2024 | Willoughby Gerrish
Massouras’ work captivated me with its complex relationship between history, memory, and the passage of time. His paintings, sculptures, and prints often focus on how public memory is shaped—by both the fragments we remember and those we forget. I loved how the gallery described his work as being “fragile yet stark,” capturing the delicate balance between permanence and impermanence in art. Two Screens embodies this idea, with its intriguing juxtaposition of layered visual elements and a sense of fragility simultaneously combined with strength.
Photo credit: www.willoughbygerrish.com
DAVID HOCKNEY
Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink, 1980 | Gerrish Fine Art
This lithograph is a rare gem, produced by David Hockney for a 1980 book about his Paper Pool series. The series itself was created in 1978 when Hockney visited his friend and printmaker, Ken Tyler, at Tyler Graphics in New York. The piece speaks to the artist’s ongoing exploration of colour and texture, and I loved seeing how it ties into his broader creative journey. It’s one of those works that, while undoubtedly a significant investment, offers a deeper connection to Hockney’s practice.
Photo credit: www.gerrishfineart.com
MIRKO BARICCHI
Pantagruel #1, 2024 | The Finch Project
Mirko Baricchi’s Pantagruel #1 bursts with a powerful, almost otherworldly energy. The piece combines abstract shapes with fluid, expressive brushstrokes, creating an atmosphere of motion and transformation. Drawing inspiration from the fantastical themes of Rabelais’ Gargantua and Pantagruel, Baricchi delves into ideas of excess and metamorphosis. The painting’s vivid colours and bold forms seem to pulse with life, inviting the viewer to explore a realm that exists between the mythical and the real.
Photo credit: www.londonartfair.co.uk
SARAH GILLESPIE
Sarah Gillespie’s Coot is a linocut piece that caught my attention due to its simplicity. The bird, illuminated by the monochrome palette, feels at once bold and serene, with every line accentuating its beauty. What I admire most about Gillespie’s work is how she channels her adoration for nature into her pieces, highlighting the fragility and wonder of the natural world. The piece invites you to pause and take in the elegance of its form, a quiet tribute to the environment.
Photo credit: www.rableygallery.com
STEVEN HEATON
The Divine Manifestation of Childhood Symmetry, 2024 | Saul Hay Gallery
One of the most rewarding parts of the day was meeting the artist Steven Heaton in person. His work explores themes of time, memory, and human interaction with nature. There is something uniquely immersive about his art—the way it considers our relationship with the world around us, especially nature’s overwhelming and constant presence. Having the opportunity to discuss his work directly made the experience even more enriching. His passion and depth of understanding are reflected in his pieces, which explore the human condition with honesty and clarity.
Photo credit: www.saulhayfineart.co.uk
