The Artitute Team was delighted to be invited by Camilla Hewitson, Affordable Art Fair Singapore’s Fair Director, and her team for a sneak preview of what’s in store for visitors in 2012. As we settled down at The Royal Mail Restaurant & Bar, we got to interact with various partners of The Affordable Art Fair.
Camilla Hewitson, speaking at the 2011 Affordable Art Fair’s media preview at the F1 Pit stop
“We are delighted to be back for a third year with a fresh programme, new initiatives and a bigger space and more galleries”. Camilla said with a smile.
Singapore’s Affordable Art Fair’s third year ensure that art enthusiasts, photography buffs, budding art collectors and first time visitors across Asia will have the opportunity to experience a diverse range of quality artwork in a fun and relaxed environment.
“The event will be happening at the F1 Pit Building in Marina South, this year’s Fair will be even bigger and better.” Alan Koh, Marketing Manager of The Affordable Art Fair, assured us.
Alan Koh, giving the press a tour at the 2011 Affordable Art Fair’s media preview
Good news, due to an overwhelming response from artists, galleries and collectors from all over the region, this year’s Affordable Art Fair will be extended by one more day. The Fair will also increase in size from 3,000 to 4,000 square metres, reflecting the growing importance of the Affordable Art Fair’s concept on the Asian art scene. And, it is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors and $3.5 million in sales.
In keeping with its core concept, since art dealer Mr Will Ramsay founded the fair in 1999 in London. The fair will stay true to its ethos of making contemporary art accessible to everyone, and to show you don’t need to be an art expert or a millionaire to enjoy and buy art.
Camilla and her team have put together a diverse selection of high-quality contemporary artworks from Asia, Australia and Europe. From abstract to figurative, including paintings, sculptures and photography while all will range in price from S$100 to S$10,000, with 75 per cent of the work under $7,500.
There will be a line up of celebrity artists, including Yayoi Kusama who will be showcasing alongside Singapore’s established names such as Justin Lee and rising star Ang Sookoon. Also there is a ‘Young Talent’ programme aiming to promote and nurture the finest young local talent under the age of 25 years old.
New additions to this year’s fair will be a designated Restaurant and Café space where delicious food and beverage will be offered by Michel Lu’s Argentum Group (the people behind The Royal Mail). The bespoke bar & lounge space will be available for private hire during the fair.
Accompanying the event will be a flurry of fun and educational workshops for all the family including printmaking demonstrations by Art & Printmaking Studio, art talks from renowned experts at Art Equity and a Children’s Art Studio run by Art Boot Camp, offering a full schedule of activities for children aged 4 to 12. So parents coming to the fair can leave your little ones to entertain themselves into becoming little Van Goghs with a piece of mind, while you scan the floor a masterpiece.
Last but not least, Camilla summarised “Affordable Art Fair provides artists with the opportunity to showcase the very best of what they’re doing to an audience who might not necessarily have come into contact with their work. For visitors, it is an opportunity to discover art, ask questions and learn about art in a relaxed and informal environment ultimately inspiring them with confidence to make a purchase that is meaningful to them. Affordable Art Fair brings a new generation of collectors to the market breaking down the barriers for new buyers and in so doing initiates an important change to the Singapore art market.“
It was a great preview session over lunch with an excellent group of people. The Artitute Team will be providing updates closer to the event and we are proud to be The Affordable Art Fair’s Online Media Partner. Do look out for details on our website and also our Social Media platforms, Facebook Fanpage, Twitter and Flickr Album.
More details of The Affordable Art Fair, Singapore
Website: http://www.affordableartfair.sg/ or join the Facebook event page
Venue: F1 Pit Building (1 Republic Boulevard)
Dates: Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 November 2012
Opening Times:
Special Event Days
14 November, Wednesday, (Private View by-invitation only): 1800 – 2200
16 November, Friday (Arty-Licious Evening): 1800 – 2200
Public Days:
15 November, Thursday: 1200 – 2000
16 November, Friday: 1200 – 1800
17 November, Saturday: 1100 – 2000
18 November, Sunday: 1100 – 1800
Ticket Prices (at the door):
General Admission (public days): $12
Arty-Licious Evening: $30
Students & Seniors: $8
Group Package (4 adults): $40
SISTIC advanced sales (booking fees may apply)
General Admission: $10
Arty-Licious Evening: $25 or $40 for two
Students & Seniors: $8
Group Package (4 adults): 30
Get your ticket online at www.sistic.com. (booking fees may apply)
If you have never visit any of the earlier Affordable Art Fair, get an insight of this year’s fair by checking out the photos taken in 2010 and 2011, and reviews by Artitute.
