What To Expect At Affordable Art Fair This Spring

Art lover looking to kickstart your personal collection? Art is a timeless investment, and with pieces ranging from £100 to £10,000, Affordable Art Fair is the best place to start. With three London editions each and every year (as well as global editions in Europe, Australia, Asia and the US), it all kicks off at Battersea Spring. Here’s what to expect.

Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring: A Guide

Set amid leafy Battersea Park – where runners of all ages flit between the paths and Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews was recently spotted pounding the running track for 24 hours continuously – Affordable Art Fair is back for spring, kicking off art fair season in the capital and celebrating the very best contemporary art money can buy for less than £10,000.

If you’re a newbie to AAF, rest assured that it’s easily navigable once you’ve entered the tent, with thousands of artworks distilled into curated displays. Honeypots include ‘Finds Under £500’ and ‘Finds Under £1,000’ where budding collectors can find (and fall in love with) their first artistic investment. For those really starting young, new-for-2025 display ‘Little Visions, Big Imaginations’ is a curated display of artworks perfect for kids bedrooms, set to inspire a new generation of creatives.

Here’s what else to expect.

Margaux Carpentier Installation

The ‘art fair’ in ‘Affordable Art Fair’ is of course at the heart of the whole event, but the first thing visitors will see this year is a bespoke, striking, large-scale installation by Margaux Carpentier, a sculptor known for her vibrant colours and rich symbolism. Entitled ‘Mother’, expect a giant, humanoid figure radiating colour. We’re also told: ‘if the viewer gets close enough, they may be able to get a glimpse of what mother holds inside, her secrets, her children, her fears and pleasures.’ Intriguing.

Resilience In Bloom

Female artists make up just 25 percent of the art market, and since Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring coincides with Women’s History Month, it’s only natural that a strong focus on women would result. Those looking to fill their art collection with women can enjoy dedicated displays of the work of Anna Sudbina, Jeni Calvert, Dinh Thi Tham and Aya Haidar.

STITCH: A Journey

Fancy getting involved with art-making? In an Affordable Art Fair first, Battersea Spring visitors are invited to join a large-scale stitching workshop from Wednesday to Friday. Fairgoers can sit and collectively stitch their personal story, enjoying a moment of calm amid the bustle of the fair.

Art After Dark Lates

Planning on squeezing Affordable Art Fair into your five-to-nine? Evening visitors can enjoy drinks and DJs at Art After Dark Lates, whether with friends or on a uniquely creative date night.

Artists To Know In 2025

More than 100 galleries will present the work of their artists at Battersea Spring. Looking for a place to start? Affordable Art Fair’s UK director Hugo Barclay has selected his top artists to watch at Battersea Spring:

David Storey – The Stratford Gallery

‘I’m drawn to David’s emotionally-charged figures, the representations of half-remembered people and places,’ Hugo says. ‘His skill in creating a dialogue between subject and places, capturing memory in an emotive and evoked way, makes him one not to miss at the fair.’

Philippa Paterson – Darl-e and the Bear

‘Philippa’s artworks are imaginative reinterpretations of familiar domestic scenes,’ Hugo tells us. ‘To me, her work blends traditional portrait and landscape elements with unexpected, whimsical imagery, creating a sort of dynamic and unpredictable visual experience. The bold colours, spontaneous or playful compositions invites viewers into a world that is both nostalgic and fantastical.’

Mario Malfer – Forest Gallery

‘Mario’s unique use of colour and geometric shapes reveal the previous generations that have inhabited these beautiful Tuscan landscapes,’ says Hugo. ‘Colour layered over geometric forms create a sense of movement, of being inside a tapestry of rural Italian countryside – they remind me of the hot dry European summers of my youth.’

Fergus Hare – Grandy Art

‘I’m very curious about the beach and crowd body of Fergus’ work; his use of soft hues and the way he depicts the relationship between subjects and their surroundings create a unique narrative in each piece,’ Hugo explains. ‘He aims to capture the character and personality of his subjects through their posture and clothing, rather than focusing on specific identities or locations – they certainly make me want to uncover more about the stories behind the pieces.’

Herme Bellido – Turning Tides Contemporary Art

‘Herme’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the exploration of colour and form,’ Hugo says. ‘Her pictorial work takes music and translates it into the visual through colour. Her practice often draws inspiration from the stillness and essence of nature, creating a serene and contemplative experience for the viewer, evoking a sense of tranquillity and introspection. Her paintings invite viewers to slow down, take respite from the fast-paced rhythm of modern life.’

Can Families Visit?

Yes, families are welcome at Affordable Art Fair, and 2025’s Battersea Spring edition will host two family mornings to boot. On both Saturday and Sunday from 10am to midday, families can enjoy a range of workshops for all ages, all in partnership with Kido.

How To Visit

Affordable Art Fair will return to Battersea Park (Queenstown Road, London SW11 4NJ) from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 March 2025. Tickets start from £14pp and under 16s visit for free (but must be accompanied by an adult). Find out more and book at affordableartfair.com