The debut edition of Women in Art Fair is refreshingly light and focused, in contrast to the other fairs happening during a jam-packed Frieze Week.
Consisting of an open call, exhibitor booths, and two curated exhibitions, emerging female artists are given their own space to breathe without comparison to male peers. Many of the exhibitors and artists are entirely new to me, revealing the imbalance of exposure in the commercial sector, and offers a welcome opportunity to discover things anew.
These are my top 10 to look out for:
Liz Watts, Kintsugi Woman, porcelain and terracotta
Brokenness and healing runs deep in this sculpture, whose body is inscribed with insecurities and social issues that affect women on a daily basis. Using the Japanese art of repairing pottery with golden lacquer, one’s inner beauty is emphasised and defined by life experiences.
Marilyn Hallam, All There II, 1995-96 (Blackbird Rook booth)
When I first saw this painting, Pierre Bonnard instantly sprang to mind. Thankfully, I was right, as he and Henri Matisse were core influences. Her works are peeks into her various studios, and there’s a wonderfully comforting feeling that embodies her scenes.
Ava Khera, Lost to Daydreams, oil on canvas (Women in Art Prize booth)
Another work that reminded me of historic works: early Gustav Klimt portraits! To me, this is impeccable with just the right balance of simplicity. It only came runner-up in the Women In Art Prize, a fantastic initiative aimed at promoting women artists since 2017.
Elissa Jane Diver, Deer Stalking, 2022, cyanotype on linen, toned with oak tannins (Unnatural Women exhibition)
Elizabeth Meek, The Parisian Girl, oil
Sometimes a good portrait is a good portrait. Especially if one is also reclaiming the art of portrait miniatures.
Abigail Norris, Omega’s Return, 2023, nylon, latex, alpaca hair, polymer, conduit (Unnatural Women exhibition)
Norris uses ‘feminine’ materials and textile techniques (‘women’s work’) to create biomorphic structures that comment on the creative force of the female body. Here, she responds to Edvard Munch’s Alfa og Omega, his bizarre version of a creation story involving beastiality and animal-human offspring.
Giulia Quaresima, Hearts to hold, pencil (The World is a Family exhibition)
This tondo is so beautiful in so many ways: the draughtsmanship, tender subject matter, mark-making, etc.
Danielle Anna Selma, The Five-Star Dream, mixed media (The World is a Family exhibition)
Almost like a flag, I love the inspirational message put forward by this: ‘the dream was gone / we gon’ make it’.
Helen Hockin, Howling Face Furies, dye and carbon (WIA Gallery booth)
Occultism is fashionable. This piece inspired by the vengeful Ancient Greek furies is just so creepy and the medium is unusual.
Yi-Chiao Chen 陳裔喬, 21 century madonna and child – Love is weight but it is sweet, oil
A rare fusion of strong Western subject matter with Asian identity. To quote the artist, ‘I use the concept of “transformation “and “hybridization” to explore the idea of race, gender, and cultural identity to reflect the complexity of the image in the 21st contemporary world.’
Women in Art Fair runs until 14 October 2023 at the Mall Galleries, https://womeninartfair.com/
Nigel Ip 
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