The Gen XY Lifestyle
Affordable Art Fair Singapore Autumn Edition Returns
From 12 to 15 November, drop by the annual Affordable Art Fair Singapore (Autumn Edition) for the opportunity to enjoy and buy art with family and friends.
Established in 1999, the Affordable Art Fair was founded in London by Will Ramsay with the aim to make contemporary art accessible to everyone. Since then, the Affordable Art Fair has expanded with 17 fairs taking place in 11 countries this year. In 2010, Singapore hosted the first Affordable Art Fair in Asia, and now holds two fairs annually – the Spring Edition and Autumn Edition.
The upcoming Affordable Art Fair Autumn 2015 will see more than 85 local and overseas galleries featuring over 600 artists, with the majority coming from Asia. Expect to find thousands of original paintings, prints, sculpture and photography all under one roof, ranging from SGD 100 to SGD 10,000.
With the compulsory labelling of all artwork, visitors can easily recognise and pick up items within their budget. Buyers can also take away their newly acquired works on the same day of purchase as professional wrapping services will be provided at no additional cost.
Feature Exhibitions
One of the feature exhibitions to check out would be the Young Talent Programme 2015, in collaboration with ION Art. Six to eight young artists (below the age of 35) have been selected to exhibit their work at the Affordable Art Fair. Of these, one to three artists will win the coveted chance of holding a solo exhibition in August/September 2016 at the ION Art gallery.
Back for it’s third edition, look out also for the Under $1000 Wall – a specially curated feature allowing those on a budget to easily pick out a piece of art they love. This year, the Under $1000 Wall will display a wide selection of wallet-friendly prints, paintings, unique photographs and sculptures from various exhibiting galleries.
Other highlights of the fair include the special one-night-only Art After Work happening on 13 November from 6pm to 10pm. Art After Work is perfect for those looking to unwind after a week of work within a laid-back and creative atmosphere. In association with Harper’s BAZAAR, guests can relax with a glass of wine or beer and be inspired by works from over 600 artists.
In partnership with the Australian International School (AIS), the Art Education Programme encourages visitors of all ages to participate in innovative art activities. Be sure to drop by their space to participate in a collaborative wall art project and stand a chance to win one of three holiday camps provided by Camp Asia.
At the multi-disciplinary Art Education Space, visitors can participate in free daily demos and talks, and experience fun ways to learn more about contemporary art. Keep an eye out for the artistic collective, Band of Doodlers, who will be visually mapping the fair’s education workshops, demos and talks ‘Live’ as they happen.
To make sure the younger ones are kept entertained, simply drop them off at the Children’s Art Studio. Browse the galleries with a peace of mind while the younger ones (aged four and above) unleash their artistic flair with a range of fun-filled workshops hosted by the studio’s provider – Little Artists Studio.
Suitable for children of all ages, an Exploratory Art Adventure theme will combine hands-on fine arts workshops with youth tours around the fair. As part of the activities, complimentary Activity Packs (limited quantities available) will be crammed with a range of arty fun to help children discover their creative talents in new ways.
With a range of delicious bites and beverages available throughout the fair, visitors can take a break with some artistic treats by Affordable Art Fair’s official food and beverage partner – Bistro 1855 and 1855 Bottle Shop. Indulge in a cheese platter paired with a glass of wine, or a healthier option of couscous salad and quiche.
As the official beer partner of the Affordable Art Fair Autumn edition, look out for the Peroni Bar for some premium Italian beer (Peroni Nastro Azzurro).
After a long day of browsing and appreciating art, catch a quick coffee break at Café by Common Man Coffee Roasters, and enjoy a freshly brewed cuppa made with premium beans sourced from all over the world.
A special Art Lounge has also been created for visitors to sit back and watch videos to learn more about the true meaning of art – be it something unexpected from a painting on a wall or discovering the different roles art can play.
The Affordable Art Fair Singapore will be held at the F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard.
The fair will be opened from 12pm to 8pm on 12 November; 12pm to 10pm on 13 November (Art After Work: 6pm to 10pm); 11am to 7pm on 14 November; and 11am to 6pm on 15 November.
Advanced tickets can be purchased online at SGD 15 for general admission. Door tickets are also available at SGD 18 for general admission and SGD 10 for students and seniors (aged 60 and above). Admission for children under 16 is free of charge.
As part of the Affordable Art Fair’s global aim to support art therapy across the world, Affordable Art Fair Singapore will be supporting the Woodbridge Hospital Charity Fund (WHCF). SGD 1 from every ticket sold at the fair will be donated to the WHCF, and representatives from WHCF will be present at the fair to inspire visitors to create something unique and socially aware.
