The Director’s Cut: Hampstead 2025
Ahead of Affordable Art Fair Hampstead, 7 – 11 May 2025, we caught up with Fair Director Hugo Barclay to find out his must-see artists and galleries.
Hugo Barclay
Tuesday 1 April, 2025
Sophie Crockett, The Blue Horse, £4250, oil on canvas, artdog london. Sold.
“There’s so much to look forward to at our Hampstead fair this year.”
Fair Director, Hugo Barclay
Affordable Art Fair is returning to Hampstead Heath, 7 – 11 May. Fair Director Hugo Barclay gives us his tops on what to look out for…
The beautiful setting on the Heath makes our Hampstead edition extra special; there’s something about showcasing thousands of works of art against a natural backdrop that inspires a real sense of creativity
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’ll be championing art and wellbeing across our programming, including a curated display of artworks that evoke a sense of healing, mindfulness, and positivity – perfect for visitors to relax and enjoy.
We’re also bringing back Summer Lates, complete with a DJ and cocktails you can sip on the Tree Top Terrace – the only rooftop bar on the Heath. And be sure not to miss Claire Knill’s stunning suspended sculpture, specially commissioned for the fair and on display in the atrium. Claire brings a distinctive artistic vision and a remarkable talent for transforming spaces with her suspended sculptures, making her the perfect artist for this special installation at the Affordable Art Fair in Hampstead.
With thousands of works from over 100 galleries, it’d be impossible to mention them all – but here are a few I’ve got my eye on…
Claire Knill, Lara Bowen Contemporary
Claire Knill’s unique artistic vision and ability to transform spaces with her suspended sculptures makes her an ideal choice for the special installation at Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead. Her installation, The Willow Tree, will take centre stage in the atrium, creating a dynamic environment with movement, light, and reflection. Claire’s background in multimedia textile design and her fascination with the balance between construction and deconstruction make her work particularly engaging – I can’t wait to see the work in person.
Stephanie Tuckwell, Flying Colours Gallery
I’ve been a fan of Stephanie’s watercolours for a long time. Her work draws deeply from her experiences and memories of the natural world. Her art, characterised by its intuitive use of materials and exploration of themes like impermanence and transformation, creates a unique dialogue between abstraction and figuration, making her pieces both evocative and thought-provoking.
Sun Ju Lee, Muse Gallery
Sun Ju Lee is a distinguished contemporary artist whose work masterfully blends traditional Korean aesthetics with modern sensibilities. I find her use of techniques fascinating, with its mix of enamelling, printing, and fused glass; her work often requires viewers to engage with the pieces from different angles and distances, revealing new details and perspectives as they move around them.
Massimo Danielis, ars-tis
Massimo Danielis is known for his intricate printmaking techniques, including etching, aquatint, and lithography. His work, which abstracts everyday environments and objects, is celebrated for its visual complexity and aesthetic poetry, making his pieces both captivating and intellectually engaging – there’s something about them I find hugely appealing.
Sophie Crockett, artdog london
Sophie Crockett is a talented contemporary artist whose work beautifully captures the essence of her childhood memories and the natural world. Her paintings, rich in colour and symbolism, explore themes of myth, beauty, and conflict, creating a visual metaphor that is both nostalgic and thought-provoking, reminding me of long summer afternoons gone by.
Nigel Hall, King & McGaw
Nigel Hall is a renowned British artist celebrated for his abstract sculptures and intricate drawings. His work, characterised by a masterful use of space and balance, explores geometric forms and the interplay of light and shadow. I could sit and study his works for a long time.
Thanks so much to Fair Director Hugo Barclay for sharing his highlights! All of these artworks and many more will be available to see and purchase at Affordable Art Fair Hampstead, 7 – 11 May 2025.
Book online today to secure your visit!
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