I think British Art Fair has improved a lot.
For this year’s edition, I was very impressed by the quality and range of works across the board, regardless of artistic fame. Special mention must be made of the curated Unsung exhibition upstairs, a refreshing contrast to the museum presentations of previous editions, while highlighting the best aspect of this fair: the chance to discover amazing little-known artists in the company of their greater rivals.
Here are my highlights:
Patrick Proctor, Three Dancing Figures, 1965, gouache, mixed media with collage on paper (The Redfern Gallery, stand 8)
The epic stand of Liss Llewellyn (stand 18)
They probably do some of the best salon hangs I’ve seen at any art fair. The wallpaper designed by Eric Ravilious gave me flashbacks to 2024, when I voted Liss Llewellyn my favourite booth at London Art Fair.
Mark Gertler, Still Life, 1917, oil on canvas (Winsor Birch, stand 24)
Julian Wild, Folly, 2025, painted steel l-beams and polished stainless steel (Blond Contemporary, stand 14)
British Art Fair is not traditionally known for fun, whimsical pieces. That’s why it’s so wild to see this here…and I want more!
Roger Fry, Portrait of Aldous Huxley, c.1931, oil on canvas (John Swarbrooke Fine Art, stand 50)
The frame just works so well with it.
Ceramics by John Bedding (Jill George Gallery, stand 55)
Margaret Mellis, John’s Fuchsias, 1989, crayon on envelope (Long & Ryle, stand 27)
I’m a sucker for drawings on bits of ephemera. It’s like finding beauty in dull moments.
Harold Harvey, Madonna of the Bridges, 1930, oil on canvas (David Messum Fine Art, stand 33)
It reminds me heavily of Mary Cassatt, in style and atmospheric intimacy.
Ceramics by Henrietta MacPhee (Ruup & Form, SOLO Contemporary section, stand S8)
Cem Hasimi (Digitalism section, stand D2)
British Art Fair (25 – 28 September 2025) is at Saatchi Gallery, London, https://www.britishartfair.co.uk/
Nigel Ip 
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