We offer you our selection of the UK’s most exciting art exhibitions and fairs:
London Design Week
The leading design event of the season, London Design Week returns to Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour this March. It’s a chance for both industry professionals and design lovers to explore 120 international showrooms, alongside an eclectic programme of events including workshops, talks and discovery tours. Don’t miss the Conversations In Design discussion on 17 March at 3pm, chaired by C&TH interiors editor Carole Annett. She’ll be discussing the secrets of bars, restaurants and hotels that have been meticulously designed to feel comfortable and relaxed, yet unfalteringly special, alongside Georgie Pearman, co-founder of Country Creatures, Shayne Brady, director of Brady Williams Studio and Tolù Adèkó, founder and creative director of Adèkó & Co. 13 – 18 March 2022, dcch.co.uk
Affordable Art Fair
On an autumn day in October 1999, ten thousand art lovers descended upon Battersea Park to browse thousands of paintings, sculptures and prints in a friendly environment. It was the first ever Affordable Art Fair – which has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon, hosting events in 10 cities around the world including London, New York, Hong Kong and Amsterdam. The fair returns to its original home this spring, from 10 – 13 March. Visitors will have the chance to browse work from over 110 galleries, with pieces available from just £50 (hence the name). A focus for 2022 will be Pantone’s Colour of the Year, an entirely new shade called Very Peri which combines periwinkle blue and violet red. A collection of works on show will capture the dynamic spirit of the shade, which is described by its creators as having a courageous presence. 10 – 13 March 2022, affordableartfair.com
StART Art Fair
Taking place at London’s Saatchi Gallery, StART Art Fair showcases over 70 artists and galleries from more than 25 countries around the world. Last year’s event incuded new works from some of K-pop’s big stars, Mino and Yooyeon of Winner and solo talent Henry Lau, as well as urban pop artist Bassa Aspinall and photographs of Namibia by Ireland’s Marie Jordan. 12 – 16 October 2022, startartfair.com
London Craft Week
Year after year, London Craft Week shines a light on some of the most exciting makers through a programme of workshops, experiences, pop-ups and exhibitions. The festival returns to capital this May, with a programme featuring over 300 events, with work from more than 400 independent makers. Creative Freedom is the 2022 theme, with highlights including a group exhibition on contemporary jewellery using ancient techniques at Sotheby’s, and a Maker’s Market at The Royal Exchange. Plus, this year’s festival will feature the first-ever Country Pavilions, presenting work by makers from countries including Malaysia and Norway. 9 – 15 May 2022, londoncraftweek.com
London Design Festival
A mixed reality installation, a sculpture celebrating beehives and an outdoor art gallery from Yinka Ilori: just some of the exhibits shown at last year’s London Design Festival. The 2021 programme featured a mix of exhibitions and events, with centrepieces at the V&A including an installation in the Raphael Court by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto and a low-carbon-aluminium pavilion found in the pool of the John Madejski Garden. 17 – 25 September 2022, londondesignfestival.com
Masterpiece London
Every June, creatives, collectors and enthusiasts from all over the world flock to the Royal Hospital Chelsea for the annual Masterpiece London fair, home to the finest works of art, design, furniture and jewellery dating from antiquity to the present day. However, due to Covid-10 restrictions, the previous two events have taken place online. This didn’t stop it being a success though, with a jazzy new platform offering art lovers and collectors to connect with exhibitors and experts. Stay tuned for details of the 2022 edition. 30 June – 6 July 2022, masterpiecefair.com
Frieze London and Frieze Masters
One of the world’s most renowned art fairs, the Frieze empire began with the launch of an art and culture magazine back in 1991. In 2003, the brand ran its first show in London’s Regent’s Park, with sister editions going on to launch in New York and Los Angeles. Three connected fairs are running in Regent’s Park this autumn: Frieze Sculpture, which is on now, followed by Frieze London and Frieze Masters in October. Frieze London focuses on contemporary art – from both emerging and well-established artists – while Frieze Masters spans thousands of years of art history, from the ancient era to the late 20th century. Almost 300 galleries from all over the world are taking part, alongside a programme of talks and special projects covering the big issues in the art world of today. Frieze London and Frieze Masters run from 12 – 16 October 2022, frieze.com
