Buy Art Fair Is Back

ART lovers and collectors can browse and buy the work of over 300 national and international artists at Buy Art Fair, taking place this weekend at Spinningfields’ Quay House.

“There is some really energetic, high-end, interesting, and dynamic work being done in Manchester.”

Buy Art Fair will show a wide range of quality art from 60 galleries from across the UK, including contemporary and classic paintings, sculptures and mixed media pieces.

Following an invite-only launch last night, the fair is open to the public from today until Sunday 30 October.

Buy Art Fair

Featured artists include Laura Jordan, whose contemporary illustrations of cityscapes capture social, political and architectural movement; and Alastair Gibson, whose metal creations combine an early interest in marine life with a 22 year career in motor sport.

At centre-stage is their ‘Racing Mako’, part sea creature and part hot-rod, made of carbon fibre, aluminum, and inconel. 

“We got a lot of attention last night,” said Lucinda Brookshaw, of the Drang Gallery in Cornwall, which is showing Mr. Gibson’s work.

“We came two years ago, but couldn’t come last year because of conflicting schedules.  We’re happy to be back this year.”

Also participating in Buy Art Fair is Manchester’s Bureau Gallery, whose co-director Mark Kennard hopes that although music is a dominant force in Manchester culture, people will start to take greater notice of the art scene. 

Mark Kennard

“There is some really energetic, high-end, interesting, and dynamic work being done in Manchester,” he said.  Bureau Gallery opened in Manchester five and a half years ago and currently represents eight artists including Mit Senoj, an award-winning Manchester artist in contemporary ink and watercolour. 

Brett Ashby, an Australian artist based in London, had visited Manchester with friends before, and was keen to display his work in the city.  He felt his digital prints were well received at the launch last night and that Buy Art Fair offered a great selection of work. His piece, ‘Madferit’, was inspired by Manchester football and is partially constructed from real football turf. 

“I love football so its great to show this kind of work in Manchester”  he said.

Brett Ashby

An informative talks programme will give visitors to this year’s Buy Art Fair the opportunity to take top tips from prominent figures in the art world on starting and developing an art collection. Talks include The Value of Art Prizes, Collecting on a Budget, The Critical Role of Commercial Galleries and Collecting Contemporary Art.

The talks programme will feature as part of The Manchester Contemporary, Buy Art Fair’s sister event, which provides a selection of critically engaged contemporary art curated by Manchester-based gallery, The International 3.

Buy Art Fair

Speaking about the forthcoming event, Buy Art Fair’s managing director, Thom Hetherington, said: “Buy Art Fair welcomes some impressive established and emerging artists from across the country, giving visitors with a keen interest in buying and collecting original art a fantastic opportunity to view the latest pieces direct from the artists and their galleries.”

Entrance is free for those who register online. Tickets at the door cost £5 for adults, £4 for concessions, and are free for under 16s.

Opening times are: Friday 28 October from 11am-7pm, Saturday 29 October from 11am-6pm, and Sunday 30 October from 11am-5pm.

Quay House, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3AJ

www.buyartfair.co.uk