Affordable Art Fair Hampstead 2023 | Meet the Artists pt.3 | DegreeArt.com The Original Online Art Gallery

Affordable Art Fair Hampstead 2023 | Meet the Artists pt.3

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...

 

Samuel Ryde

 

1) Which piece/pieces are you most excited to exhibit at the Hampstead Fair?

There's a piece I'm showing that we haven't shown before. The Library in NYC. It's the brightest piece I've ever done and is one of the most messed up bathrooms on planet Earth, lots of stories. I went back to visit it in December 2022 and it was completely different. Maybe I'll exhibit that one soon.

 

2) What is the most common question you receive about your work and how do you answer it?

Easily the most common question is 'Why hand dryers??'. I just tell them my story, the way it evolved, from an Instagram to a book then now galleries. I also show the other projects and achievements to win them over completely. My favourite occasion though is when adults use me to inspire their children, to show them anything is possible, that's a really special moment.

 

3) What is the most surprising question you've ever been asked and how did you answer it?

Most surprising? Hmm... A few times people have said to me, 'You should go to this bathroom in NYC' and 9 out of 10 times, I take my phone out and show them I've already been there. It's a very satisfying moment...

 

 

Michael Wallner

 

1) Which piece/pieces are you most excited to exhibit at the Hampstead Fair?

I am most excited to exhibit my new 'City of Gold' bars - the first sculpture I have created! I became obsessed with the artistic beauty of gold bars when I first saw the iconic film ’The Italian Job’ starring Michael Cane. The plot featured a daring gold bullion heist. I also loved ‘Money Heist’, the recent Netflix drama about a gold bar robbery. I’m pleased to declare I have no plans to take my career down this route! But I am proud of the new creations. I love the shape and angles of gold bars - there’s something very tactile about them too.

I wanted to portray London (my favourite city) as a glamorous, attractive city, rich in history and culture. The gold bars feature the London skyline laser cut into the top, and are made with a unique brass /resin mix to mimic the feel of a genuine gold bar. Each bar is presented on a purple, velvet cushion to add to their luxurious aura.

 

2) What is the most common question you receive about your work and how do you answer it?

The most common question I’m asked about my work is ‘what inspires me to create my art? The answer is 'the city’. In particular the shapes and colours that make up its skylines and landscapes. I love a skyline made up of different abstract shapes - London, New York and Hong Kong are great examples of this. I love to use patterns in my art, especially repeated patterns - cities and especially buildings are created out of patterns. This is one of the reasons I like to create art from my aerial photographs, often taken while hanging out of helicopters with the doors off. Aerial views give me perfect views of the patterns in urban landscapes ('World Peace' and ‘Oxford Circus From Above’ are great examples of this).

 

3) What is the most surprising question you've ever been asked and how did you answer it?

The most surprising question I’ve been asked (and my favourite ever question) was posed by a 7-year-old child. He asked me; ‘When you’ve made a piece and someone buys it does it feel good?’ To which I replied: “Yes it makes me feel great! If something I’ve made makes someone else very happy that makes me feel aaaaamazing.’

 

 

Emmanuel Okoro

 

1) Which piece/pieces are you most excited to exhibit at the Hampstead Fair?

I am grateful that my Sculptures are received well at the Affordable art fair. UPLIFTED AND ROSE seems to be popular pieces.

 

2) What is the most common question you receive about your work and how do you answer it?

The most common question I receive sometimes is, how long does it usually take to make a piece of sculpture.My answer is as always the same, it depends on the sculpture, it could take a day or it could take 5 years, depending on the nature of the piece, and if the sculpture has had enough of my meddling with it.

 

3) What is the most surprising question you've ever been asked and how did you answer it?

After seeing the sculptures they couldn't believe I was the original artist. I told them, I am far from being the kind of artist you would meet, because I just don't have that look that most artists have.

 

 

We will be exhibiting works by Philip HearseySophie DerrickLuke M WalkerKelly JenkinsLee HerringLana MatsuyamaEmmanuel OkoroMichael Wallner and Samuel Ryde

 

Browse the collection of select artworks here

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