Art Fair East 2017

>December Events / Art & Theatre / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / exhibitions / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk November 25, 2017

671 View of Norwich Cathedral from Elm Hill by Howard Temperley

A London style international contemporary art fair right here in Norwich, 1-3 December 2017

Art Fair East, one of the Eastern region’s largest and liveliest contemporary visual arts events, is the kind of event rarely seen outside London. Now in its third year, it has quickly become established as the foremost place to see and buy top quality contemporary art in the east of England. It brings together artists, galleries and dealers from across the eastern region, around the country, continental Europe and from as far afield as Kenya! The fair is already recognised as one of the leading UK contemporary art fairs outside London. It offers visitors a unique opportunity start their own journey into collecting, to expand an existing art collection or to buy highly original Christmas presents for loved ones.

Founded and curated by experienced arts professionals Will Teather and Brian Korteling, the fair is an opportunity for artists, galleries and dealers to present their work to a wide public. As successful artists themselves, both are passionate about getting more people interested in original contemporary art and helping artists to make a living from their work.

Will Teather in the studio by Martin Marsh

As Will Teather says, ‘All artwork is either one-off or limited edition. Having a large-scale art fair in the city is making venues and artists outside the area take note of Norwich as a hub for the arts. It also helps expose venues outside the area to local artists that participate in the event.’.

It will feature work from over 100 artists, and is expected to attract over 3,500 visitors from across the country to meet artists and art experts, and see a great variety of artwork in one place. Many of these visitors will go home happy with a new piece of original artwork. Last year’s fair was believed to be the first time that signed editions by Banksy and other world famous artists were available in the region and more are expected this time around.

BANKSY Art Fair East — BANKSY Nola (White Rain) – signed and numbered in pencil

The international outlook gives Art Fair East the unique quality that attracts prestigious dealers. Gallery specialists will be available to advise on collecting contemporary art, from affordable prints by recognised artists and new talent through to serious investments – including original paintings, prints, sculpture, photography and artworks made to commission. Visitors will also be able to meet many of the artists whose work is on display.

Amongst those taking part is Norfolk’s David Chedgey, best known simply as Chedgey, exhibiting and offering his skills as a portrait painter for commission. A former lecturer who has been painting and sculpting for over sixty years he has work in public and private collections worldwide. Amongst his past commissions have been portraits of two of his ex-students – Norman Lamb MP and the Hollywood actor Mark Strong.

Suffolk based Val Bright-Jones is a first-time exhibitor. Val paints mostly moving figures in landscapes or water and is ‘thrilled to have been selected for Art Fair East 2017. She said ‘This will be a wonderful opportunity to reach new audiences with my work and I am excited to be showing at a fair that has already exhibited international names like Banksy and Nando Kallweit. At the fair I plan on displaying paintings in oil and acrylic.’

From much further afield painter Nega Tegeng is travelling from Kenya with his work especially for Art Fair East.

London’s prestigious Underdog Gallery represent a hand-picked selection of modern artists and will be returning for the second time. Underdog Director Sammy Forway commented ‘Art Fair East was a great way for us to create interest in our gallery and artists outside London. Last year we made several substantial sales and have had people who saw us at the Norwich event coming to London to buy work. We met a lot of talented artists and have worked with a couple of them on exhibitions since. All in all, it’s is a great way to break into the world of art fairs for galleries or individual artists and it’s a big bonus that it’s run by artists for artists!’

Other London based galleries who have booked stands include first timers Le Dame, an Italian-run outlet with an international reputation for scouting the very best artists from around Europe.

Art Fair East is also an important addition to Norwich’s Christmas shopping experience, attracting visitors from near and far. As enthusiastic exhibitor Louisa Milsome, from Norwich’s Gallery in the Lanes, says ‘Art Fair East has rapidly become a key event in the Norwich cultural calendar and a fantastic showcase for commercial galleries in the region.