ART FAIR BACK IN THE FRAME
THREE-DAY FESTIVAL OFFERS CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO SNAP UP A PIECE OF ART
ARTWORKS by some of the world’s biggest names will go on display alongside new and emerging talent as Manchester Art Fair makes its big return to the city centre this weekend.
Known as one of the UK’s most ambitious art fairs, the event returns to Manchester Central over the weekend where art enthusiasts can buy incredible modern and contemporary paints, sculpture, photography and limited edition prints from a range of international galleries and artists.
The event was unable to take place last year due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, but will return to huge fanfare today – with the unveiling of a major new piece of artwork with a political message. For a huge sculptures of Boris Johnson made out of recycled fashions will be erected at the entrance to the art fair, which is a call to the Prime Minister to address the 206 tonnes of textile waste produced in the UK every year.
Thousands of people are set to attend the three-day art fair, viewing the works of more than 130 exhibiting galleries and artists, paving the way for the largest event in Manchester Art Fair’s 12-year history.
The event is a chance for art enthusiasts to buy everything from incredible paintings of Manchester through to eagerly sought after items by some of the world’s most iconic artists like Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, LS Lowry and Tracy Emin.
Eagerly anticipated works at the event include a £40,000 original colour screen print of Warhol’s iconic Campbell’s Soup work, and limited edition Anthony Gormley prints.
This year the event will also see a focus on the booming market of NFTs (non-fungible tokens), with advice on purchasing, the link to cryptocurrency, and a selection of exhibitors in the fair selling exclusive NFTs.
A programme of engaging events, workshops, children’s activities and an impressive café further adds to the event’s appeal.
Art Fair director Sophie Helm has watched as the event she and partner Thom Hetherington first launched 13 years ago has grown to be one of the key dates on the arts calendar not only in Manchester but in the UK.
Sophie said: “We first started the fair because there was literally a gap in the market, there were a few galleries in Manchester but we know how daunting it can be to walk into an art gallery if you’ve
never been in one before.
“We thought we could tackle that, by creating something that was affordable and accessible while providing a platform for artists in the north.”
Sophie said that while the physical event had to be postponed last year, their move to an online platform, EASEL, was a huge success through lockdown, with people gaining a new passion for buying original art as a way to improve their homes.
She said: “We all care about the colour we paint our walls, the cushions in house, but certainly in lockdown everyone started to notice what’s behind you on the wall a little more.
“The minute the pandemic hit we knew we had to do something to continue connecting our artists and galleries with our community of passionate art buyers and collectors. Within six weeks, and with no funding or support, we had created EASEL, an online art sales platform, and I’m proud to say that from a standing start we sold over £50,000 of art and signed up over 150 subscribing artists and galleries.
“It was at that point we knew the pandemic was not going to quash the north’s passion for supporting great artists.” But Sophie and the team have also been buoyed by the support and interest in the fair returning to Manchester Central this year after lockdown.
She believes there’s now a huge interest for people to get out and meet artists and to see works of arts for themselves before they buy.
She said: “It’s not always that easy to find art you want to buy, but here at the fair you actually get to meet the artist, and you could pay a really reasonable price to buy an original work of art.”
The art fair, sponsored by White Circle interior design, will be a fully-ticketed event with timed entry to ensure a limited flow of people into the huge Manchester Central space, but tickets can still be purchased online now and across the weekend.
Weekend tickets are available by visiting manchesterartfair.co.uk and cost £5 for adults (Under-16s go free), with entry between 10am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets include access to The Manchester Contemporary, a showcase of uniquely artistfocused presentations that can only be seen in Manchester.