The best art fairs and events in London in 2022
From fine art to photography to antiques, there’s an art fair for every collector in the capital. Add these upcoming festivals and events to your diary.
W
e might be biased, but there aren’t many cities that can stake a greater claim to design capital of the world than London. With its internationally-renowned museums, art galleries both large and small and plethora of public art installations, London is a hub of creativity. Showcasing the best of the capital’s talents are a roster of art fairs and festivals that take place throughout the year, giving the opportunity to discover works by emerging and established artists. Whether you’re interested in British craft, affordable art or through-provoking installations, these are the upcoming fairs and events to have on your radar.
The Affordable Art Fair
The Affordable Art Fair returns to London for three events this year, offering thousands of works from both emerging and established galleries hailing from cities such as London, Hong Kong, New York and Barcelona. Kicking things off in Battersea Park for spring, the fair will later make a triumphant return to Hampstead Heath after a two-year hiatus before travelling south of the river once more in the autumn. Artworks start from £50, and range from paintings and prints to photographs and sculptures.
10 - 13 March, Battersea Park; 5 - 8 May, Hampstead Heath; 20 - 23 October, Battersea Park, affordableartfair.com
The Other Art Fair
Following last year’s international hybrid events, the Other Art Fair is back in person worldwide. Returning to its East London home at the Old Truman Brewery for 2022, the programme will feature original exhibits from 140 independent artists over four days in a true celebration of creativity and the unconventional. A departure from the traditional, and often elitist, art world, expect immersive installations, workshops, performances, DJ sets and a fully stocked bar.
The Other Art Fair London, 17-20 March, The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, theotherartfair.com
London Art Fair
Marking its 34th edition, the London Art Fair celebrates the best in Contemporary and Modern art. Supporting collectors of all levels, the fair brings together works from over 100 specially selected leading galleries across the globe featuring major works by renowned artists from the 20th century to today. Expert insight is provided in a series of talks, tours and guest curated exhibitions, featuring everything from prints and editions to sculpture and large-scale installations.
20 – 24 April 2022, Business Design Centre, londonartfair.co.uk
London Craft Week
London Craft Week returns this May for its eighth festival, celebrating creativity in its many guises with a curated selection based not on price or fame, but on underlying substance. Last year saw over 350 established and emerging international makers taking part in almost 400 events, featuring everything from 3D printing and ceramics to upholstery and silversmithing, and this year looks to be even bigger. The expansive schedule takes place across the capital so keep an eye out for events and makers in your area.
9 - 15 May, londoncraftweek.com
Photo London
Bringing the best of international photography to the capital every year, Photo London returns to Somerset House for 2022. Boasting an exciting line-up of vintage and historical works, while highlighting fresh perspectives and emerging talent, the fair gathers leading dealers, galleries and artists to celebrate photography with a full public programme including talks, workshops and satellite events across the city.
12 - 15 May, Somerset House, photolondon.org
Masterpiece
One of London’s biggest annual multidisciplinary art fairs, Masterpiece returns to the Royal Chelsea Hospital with a roster of international exhibitors showcasing the finest works of art, design, furniture and jewellery. With a full schedule of tours, talks and lectures, the fair brings together creatives across every major market discipline for the world’s largest cross-collecting fair. Now in its 14th year, Masterpiece offers both new and established collectors the opportunity to view and buy a diverse selection of exceptional pieces spanning over 4,000 years of art history.
30 June - 6 July, Royal Hospital Chelsea, masterpiecefair.com
London Design Festival
This September, the London Design Festival returns to the capital, marking 20 years of celebrating and promoting design with an exciting line-up of installations, events and exhibitions across the city. Highlights from last year include Medusa by architect Sou Fujimoto and mixed reality studio Tin Drum (an immersive virtual installation in the V&A’s newly refurbished Raphael Court), Yinka Ilori’s Bring London Together which gave a colourful makeover to Tottenham Court Road’s zebra crossings, and a series of ten sculptural Designposts around the city created by students and recent graduates under the mentorship of architect Izaskun Chinchilla and designer Peter Marigold. Expect the 2022 edition to be bigger and better than ever.
17 - 25 September, londondesignfestival.com
Frieze London & Frieze Masters
Bringing back the capital’s most-hyped art fair, Frieze London and Frieze Masters are set to take over Regent’s Park again this October, alongside Frieze Sculpture. Details of this year’s event are still under wraps, but last year saw art from emerging stars to iconic names and thousands of years of art history with over 290 major international galleries, special commissions and an exciting series of talks. Following its success last year, works will once again also be displayed at No. 9 Cork Street, Frieze London’s dedicated gallery space.
12 - 16 October, Regent’s Park and No. 9 Cork Street, frieze.com
