We are delighted to announce that we will be returning to the Affordable Art Fair Hampstead in partnership with Paint My Home by Bell and Sofa.com, bringing an array of artwork to suit all tastes!
As part of the countdown to AAF Hampstead 2023, we asked our artists a few questions about what they're excited to show for this Summer's fair...
Philip Hearsey
1) Which piece/pieces are you most excited to exhibit at the Hampstead Fair?
The piece I am most excited to show is Notice, simply because it departs from the blue for which I am so well known. I cannot escape from the magic and wide appeal of blue, which has so many different associations, but am increasingly exploring a wider range of colour.
2) What is the most common question you receive about your work and how do you answer it?
When I used to exhibit at fairs the most frequent question was “how long does it take you to make a sculpture”. My answer was, to some extent evasive [and seemingly flippant], but very true - 30 years. Some sculptures happen quickly and naturally, others sit untouched and waiting for the right moment. What is undeniable though is that there is a lifetime of practical experience and visual occurrences influencing creative outcome. If asked now I would probably say at least 50 years if not more than 70!
3) What is the most surprising question you've ever been asked and how did you answer it?
I post a lot on social media and get a lot of likes. On Linkedin I get a lot of comments as well and some of the observations of others are really surprising and thought provoking. The reactions can be so very different from anything in my mind up to that point. The interpretation of others is so fundamental that I do use ambiguous titles and say very little about my thoughts, so avoiding pre-conditioned responses.
Sophie Derrick
1) Which piece/pieces are you most excited to exhibit at the Hampstead Fair?
I’m excited to exhibit works from my two new series; ‘Tulip’ and ‘Earthly Origin’. ‘Tulip’ especially is one I’m looking forward to showing as its colours are inspired by springtime, and are really uplifting. It also contains a lot of lilac, which is a colour I’m obsessed with at the moment! ‘Earthly Origin’ images were created using natural earth pigments, giving it a really Earthy and natural vibe.
2) What is the most common question you receive about your work and how do you answer it?
How do I make my work! The shortened version of this answer is; Firstly I paint directly onto my skin with thick impasto paint, then I use a remote control to photograph this on my digital SLR camera. I take hundreds of images of lots of different poses, and then select a few to create a series. I then print these as Diasec prints (the C-type print is sandwiched between a piece of Dibond backing and acrylic glass front) and paint on top of this image with thick impasto paint, rendering the photo flattened paint tangible once again.
3) What is the most surprising question you've ever been asked and how did you answer it?
I’ve been asked a few times to paint people’s pets! Although this would be cute, it would also be an extremely messy affair that I don’t think I could handle! Never work with animals or children as they say ;)
Luke M Walker
1) Which piece/pieces are you most excited to exhibit at the Hampstead Fair?
It is great to show off my most recent hand-finished prints. These are a totally new departure for me and the imitation silver leaf gives them an additional sparkle. I am also enjoining deliberately drawing over the print edges, this was inspired by once seeing a page from an ancient illustrated copy of the Qur’an where the illustrator had drawn in the margins. Apparently this was the artist dreaming.
2) What is the most common question you receive about your work and how do you answer it?
‘How long did that take?’ To which I usually reply (with a smile), ‘Oh about twenty years…’
3) What is the most surprising question you've ever been asked and how did you answer it?
Someone did ask me the other day do I only paint London and why? I have actually painted in other places; France, Scotland, Norway, America Nepal and Taiwan but only as a visitor. My work is only inspired through the direct experience of places usually by walking and built up from layer upon layer of interactions with the place. So London as my hometown makes for a natural muse. However plans are afoot to explore and depict other places soon.
We will be exhibiting works by Philip Hearsey, Sophie Derrick, Luke M Walker, Kelly Jenkins, Lee Herring, Lana Matsuyama, Emmanuel Okoro, Michael Wallner and Samuel Ryde
