London Art Fair 2018: the ten artists you have to see

Frances Richardson is an artist who is on a roll at the moment, winning the SOLO Award 2017 and the Mark Tanner Sculpture Award 2017. I was on the judging panel for the former prize and I was bowled over by her work. Her new body of work entitled In times of brutal instability draws inspiration from the humble post-it note, with each artwork on display reflecting the fleeting nature and tenuous balance of an art fair.

Not only is Alan Davie one of Scotland's most important artists of the twentieth century with works in public collections across the world, but he was the first British painter - and perhaps the first European artist - to realise the vitality and significance of American Abstract Expressionism. Alan Wheatley Art were made sole representatives of his Estate in September this year and as well as sought after early 1960’s and 1970’s work, they will also be showing a selection of previously unseen works from the later period of his long artistic career which should be a real draw.

Not only is Alan Davie one of Scotland's most important artists of the twentieth century with works in public collections across the world, but he was the first British painter - and perhaps the first European artist - to realise the vitality and significance of American Abstract Expressionism. Alan Wheatley Art were made sole representatives of his Estate in September this year and as well as sought after early 1960’s and 1970’s work, they will also be showing a selection of previously unseen works from the later period of his long artistic career which should be a real draw.

Eri Imamura’s Japanese and manga inspired work strives to reconcile the material entrapment of urbanism with an animistic desire to reconnect with nature. Her elaborately crafted textile compositions employ expertise gained from formal schooling in classic kimono design and pueblo beading artistry and she is also influenced by the spiritualism in traditional Japanese tattoo designs.

Eri Imamura’s Japanese and manga inspired work strives to reconcile the material entrapment of urbanism with an animistic desire to reconnect with nature. Her elaborately crafted textile compositions employ expertise gained from formal schooling in classic kimono design and pueblo beading artistry and she is also influenced by the spiritualism in traditional Japanese tattoo designs.

Another artist taking part in Dialogues is New Zealand artist Fiona Pardington, whose photography explores themes of memory, time and history. In 2015 she was honoured with a 30 year survey exhibition which toured museums in three New Zealand cities so it will be fantastic to have a chance to see her work in this country.

Another artist taking part in Dialogues is New Zealand artist Fiona Pardington, whose photography explores themes of memory, time and history. In 2015 she was honoured with a 30 year survey exhibition which toured museums in three New Zealand cities so it will be fantastic to have a chance to see her work in this country.

Jim Lambie was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2005 and it’s easy to see why - his work is fun and arresting. Glasgow Print Studio, who have exhibited with us for the last 30 years, will be showing his 2014 work Sun Visor, an archival pigment print with spray paint in an edition of 50, and at under £1,000 it’s a complete steal.

John Hoyland has had a bit of resurgence recently, which is really great to see. His work will be shown both by Berwald London and Advanced Graphics London. His reputation as one of Britain’s leading abstract painters is assured and I’m looking forward to seeing his work exhibited.

John Hoyland has had a bit of resurgence recently, which is really great to see. His work will be shown both by Berwald London and Advanced Graphics London. His reputation as one of Britain’s leading abstract painters is assured and I’m looking forward to seeing his work exhibited.

At last year’s Fair Marion Boehm’s work proved incredibly popular and her previous editions nearly sold out on the first day. She achieves a great sense of dignity and honour on behalf of the people who have often been overlooked in life through her collages, and we’re delighted to have her back. 

At last year’s Fair Marion Boehm’s work proved incredibly popular and her previous editions nearly sold out on the first day. She achieves a great sense of dignity and honour on behalf of the people who have often been overlooked in life through her collages, and we’re delighted to have her back. 

Berlin-based artist Mehtap Baydu is a real one-to-watch as her work becomes more familiar in the UK. Her first solo show was held last year at BERLIN ART PROJECTS and recently she was invited to display her paper sculptures at the Beijing Biennial. Turkish gallery Galeri Nev are bringing together a selection of her work which explores her body through her relationship with her mother, including a bust created using her mother's favourite dress as “skin”, as part of the Fair’s Dialogues section. 

Berlin-based artist Mehtap Baydu is a real one-to-watch as her work becomes more familiar in the UK. Her first solo show was held last year at BERLIN ART PROJECTS and recently she was invited to display her paper sculptures at the Beijing Biennial. Turkish gallery Galeri Nev are bringing together a selection of her work which explores her body through her relationship with her mother, including a bust created using her mother's favourite dress as “skin”, as part of the Fair’s Dialogues section. 

New York-based Qiana Mestrich​’s Black Doll Series abstracts original images of black dolls for sale on sites such as Etsy and Ebay. The resulting works are displayed with the seller’s original captions, prompting the viewer to challenge and deconstruct stereotypes and personal archives of visual memory. She is one of ten artists and artist collectives that are participating in the 2018 edition of Photo50 at the Fair at the invitation of Hemera Collective and we’re really excited to see her work within the exhibition.

New York-based Qiana Mestrich​’s Black Doll Series abstracts original images of black dolls for sale on sites such as Etsy and Ebay. The resulting works are displayed with the seller’s original captions, prompting the viewer to challenge and deconstruct stereotypes and personal archives of visual memory. She is one of ten artists and artist collectives that are participating in the 2018 edition of Photo50 at the Fair at the invitation of Hemera Collective and we’re really excited to see her work within the exhibition.

Visitors to the Fair this year will be greeted at the entrance to the Business Design Centre by Paul’s wonderful sculpture ‘Looking Profiles’ which is carved from marble quarried from the famous Carrera quarries in Northern Tuscany. Inside the Fair itself Serena Morton will also be selling smaller scale works by the artist.