For an art lover, London is paradise. Between the free museums like the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, the Tate Britain, The Wallace Collection and many more, as well as paid events across the city, an art enthusiast would be hard-pressed running out of things to do in London – similarly to how a foodie would struggle to run out of restaurants near Paddington Station, let alone city-wide. If you are looking to take your admiration for top quality art to the next level and make some purchases to cherish at home, here are the best places to buy art in London.
Bayswater Road Sunday Art Exhibition
The Bayswater Road Sunday Art Exhibtion, which can be found – unsurprisingly – on Bayswater Road near accommodation in Paddington London on a Sunday, has been a beacon of culture and an artistic landmark in the English capital for the past six decades. This buzzing street art exhibit was, like many other cultural experiences, negatively impacted by the pandemic, meaning that currently, the art on display can only be found between the Lancaster Gate entrance to Kensington Gardens and the Marlborough Gate entrance, unlike previously when it continued right up to Queensway Road. Thankfully, this has barely made a dent in the joy that is delivered weekly at this premiere open-air art exhibition.
The art, which you will find pinned to the railings of Kensington Gardens alongside its proud artist, is sold directly at studio prices. No hidden costs, no unnecessarily complex protocols or delivery processes; you see the art you want, you pay for it, and you take it home with you. That said, as spacious as the rooms at the Park Grand Paddington Court Hotel are, not everyone has the capacity to travel with artwork, in which case the artists can advise on both packing and shipping, as well as sell their art without frames, rolling the paintings into tubes which can then be carried as hand luggage.
Affordable Art Fair
Let’s face it: our monthly bank statement can prevent even the most enthusiastic of art-lovers from purchasing pieces. It is, of course, what makes the museums so appealing! But art should not just be accessible to a small percentage of society to own, which is how the Affordable Art Fair came into being.
With exhibits set in Hong Kong, Melbourne, New York, Amsterdam, Singapore and Hamburg for 2022, London would never be caught missing out, and will be in Battersea from 20-23 October 2022. There are 1,000s of original artworks, which are priced between £50 and £7,500.
London Art Fair
London hotel special offers give the world access to some of the most luxurious hotels in the city. The West End gives the world access to some of the highest level of mainstream professional theatre in the English-speaking world. Restaurants near Paddington Station give the world access to a taste of the best flavours. Similarly, the London Art Fair gives the world access to some of the finest modern art from the early 20th century to the present – not just to admire, but to buy. That said, the fair doesn’t stop at established artists and galleries. There are curated sections which pay special attention to new works, less-established galleries and contemporary photography. Essentially, the London Art Fair is a celebration of some of the most successful artists as well as a springboard for those who will be the future success stories.
This is an annual event which has already taken place in 2022, which was the 34th edition which took place from Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 April 2022 at the Business Design Centre in the district of Islington. However, the next installment is not far off and will take place from 18 – 22 January 2023. So, art connoisseurs looking to expand their collections – save the date!
Degree shows
London is home to some of the best art schools around, the top five including University College London, Goldsmiths University of London, University of the Arts London, University of Westminster and London Metropolitan University. Here, budding artists are honing their skills to become the future of the galleries and museums we love and cherish. A degree show is an exhibition which is open to the public, hosted by a university. It usually takes place at the end of a degree and is an opportunity for the hard-working students to display the fruits of their labour throughout their studies.
It is at these shows that you can experience new art, make connections with the artists if you wish to purchase their work, and also see what sort of work is being created outside of commercial galleries.
Roseberys
Roseberys auction house hosts antique sales every month, as well as provides valuation service, and quarterly fine arts events. It is considered to be one of the UK’s best auctioneers when it comes to the sale of art, as well as other antique items. Upcoming auctions can be found on the Roseberys website, and are within the bounds of their various departments.
While Roseberys is specialist, it is certainly not limited to one or two niches. Departments under the Roseberys umbrella include: Modern & Contemporary Prints & Multiples; Old Master & 19th Century Pictures; Chinese, Japanese & South East Asian Art; Islamic & Indian Art; Modern & Contemporary British & Irish Art; and Urban & Contemporary Art; to name a few.
Spitalfields Arts Market
It is no surprise that there is a buzzing art scene in East London, given its reputation for art and creativity. Similarly, it is unsurprising that the Spitalfields Arts Market has formed a part of the wider Spitalfields Market, which has a rich, diverse history for welcoming traders as far back as 1197. As time has shown – the more interesting the history, the more interesting the art! The art market specifically takes place monthly, except January and February, and you can purchase original art from paintings to photography. The price range and taste range are as diverse as the area, meaning it is suitable for art lovers across the spectrum. Importantly, this is a market for independent traders, so you can rest easy knowing the artists are benefitting directly from your acquisition.
