The Other Art Fair 2020

The Other Art Fair is making its return to London later this month, with the first of three fairs here in the capital. This is a date always marked in the diary for  The Amazing Blog as we’re always thrilled to check out the new and emerging artists coming out of London’s art scene. The fair is presented by Saatchi Art and will be held at The Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch from 19-22 March 2020.

The art fair features 129 independent artists whose works were handpicked by a selection committee of art world experts. Mediums such as paintings, photography, drawings and sculptures were judged on ability, potential, and accessibility by the committee, ensuring buyers receive value and quality in their investment pieces.

“Meadow Chaos” - Lee Herring, 2019

One of the artists featured in this year’s fair is Lee Herring. Herring uses a mixture of oils, spray paints, varnishes and acrylics to produce memory-based landscapes captured from travelling by rail up and down the country. Each piece is painted solely from memory to create pieces that are abstract and expressional.  His contemporary landscapes are colourful, textured and full of life. He captures snippets of colour and details as the scene is fleeting while on the rail. He describes his technique as an ‘evolution of a free-flowing, spontaneous process.’

“Single-use planet” Photography by Lexi Lane

Another featured artist is Lexi Laine. Laine is a freediving photographer who likes to create melancholic underwater images. The series of images on display at the fair are from a whimsical project she has been working on for the last year. She has created a visual narrative for the woman in the photos. In some scenes, she is swimming towards the light, suggesting she is travelling from one world to the next. In other images, she’s consumed in darkness as a representation ‘of vulnerability and a reminder of the incredible force of the water,’ said Laine. Laine does not use scuba equipment while photographing her subjects. She says she feels the most alive and in touch with herself as an artist when she is freediving.

The fair also features a various number of art-related programmes. One of those programmes being ‘The Calm Collective,’ an art-making session that brings artists and art lovers together to explore life issues, well-being and mental health through different mediums. Other programmes include a Kids Create art space, a tattoo booth by Sticks Not Stones and DJs from Soho Space playing music in the fair. Tickets for The Other Art Fair can be purchased ahead of time here for Friday-Sunday for £11.00. Tickets will also be sold at the door for £14.00. There are two Other Art Fairs in July and October so keep an eye open here for further details of dates and venues.

Meet Vincent van Gogh in London - Experience a journey through his life

There is always something new and exciting to do in London, and at The Amazing Blog, we're looking forward to seeing the much talked about Meet Vincent van Gogh, which is an immersive art experience that has just made its debut here in London. The interactive exhibition is open now and will be on display until 21 May on London’s South Bank at 99 Upper Ground, London SE1.

Created by experts from the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the exhibit will take visitors on an experience where they can get up close and personal with large recreations of some of van Gogh’s most famous works, as his original works are too fragile to travel outside of Amsterdam. Guests are encouraged to touch all the installations to get a feel of Van Gogh’s brush strokes and the details of his artwork. Graphics blend seamlessly with projections with audio and lighting that create a multisensory experience. The exhibit facilitates engagement and interactivity, with video effects and lighting and other multi-sensory effects (such as the smell of hay when entering one of his most famous works). See the video link here.

Often referred to as the 'misunderstood genius,' Meet Vincent van Gogh will educate guests on everything there is to know about the famous painter's life, from his upbringing to his struggles with mental illness and poverty later in his life. The exhibit also features interactive stations and beautiful light projections. Previously on tour in Beijing, Barcelona and Seoul the Meet Vincent van Gogh won a Thea Award from the Themed Entertainment Association for Immersive Touring Exhibit in 2017. It shows how modern tools and techniques can transform the way we view and experience the Post-Impressionism movement.

Tickets to the experience include a free audio guide featuring Van Gogh’s voice as he guides visitors through the inspirations and the despair that influenced his life’s works. Tickets for the experience costs from £16.50 ea. and can be purchased ahead of time here. Be sure to check out this interactive experience before it disappears off to Lisbon later this year! Thank you to Pelham Communications for giving us permission to use these photographs - all images are courtesy of Meet Vincent van Gogh.

The London Original Print Fair - Friday Favourite

We, here at The Amazing Blog, are always on the hunt for fabulous, unique and special events around the capital for you to enjoy and this week is no different. For four days only (!) The Royal Academy of Arts is hosting the London Original Print Fair, London’s longest-running art fair. It is full of beautiful, whimsical and thought-provoking prints that you won’t be able to tear your eyes away.

This fair offers a remarkable opportunity to experience and appreciate works from every period of printmaking. From the earliest woodcuts of Dürer to the silk screens of modern contemporaries, this fair gives insight into the evolution and changing fashions of the print world. Allowing, the seasoned enthusiast, curious viewer or budding collector to all share an experience and develop a greater understanding and appreciation of this artistic method.

The exhibition is an eclectic mix of styles and artists, as renowned pieces are placed alongside new names. The variety in this print fair is breath-taking and if you don’t believe us or want to have a sneak peek then just check out their exhibitors. What's more, if you love fall in love with one of the prints, then you may even be able to purchase it for yourself! So whether you want to add to your art collection, are thinking of starting one or just want to go for a look, you will love this exhibition. With it closing on Sunday you can purchase tickets here! They are free for Friends of the RA, £12 for adults and free for under 16s!

Audrey Hepburn: Portraits Of An Icon - The National Portrait Gallery

We here at The Amazing Blog, think that it’s pretty obvious that we love any and all beauty related things. When we heard about the Audrey Hepburn Portrait exhibit at The National Portrait Gallery, we knew instantly that this was something that we had to share. The aptly named “Portraits of an Icon” exhibit sees the portraits displayed for the first time in the UK with the help of the Audrey Hepburn estate. Wrapping up on the 18th October, there’s still plenty of time for you to go and drink in these iconic images.

Audrey Hepburn photographed wearing Givenchy by Norman Parkinson, 1955 © Norman Parkinson Ltd/Courtesy Norman Parkinson Archive. Used with permission from The National Portrait Gallery.

She has widely been regarded as one of the first international celebrities, her films are so timeless. We certainly still find ourselves fascinated by her work. The event will not only document her most famous roles, including How to Steal a Million, Two for the Road and, of course, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, it will also explore her lesser known beginnings. Starting from her roots in Belgium, through to her West End chorus line and dancer days, up until her big silver screen roles and beyond, this is a great way to get a glimpse into the starlet’s life.

Audrey Hepburn on location in Africa for The Nun’s Story by Leo Fuchs, 1958 ©Leo Fuchs. Used with permission from The National Portrait Gallery. 

Though it is a photography exhibit, it really is so much more than that. Ms. Hepburn got her proper start in the business here in London and we know that she would be happy to be back, and to be honoured in such a way.

Audrey Hepburn by Philippe Halsman for LIFE magazine, 1954 ©Philipe Halsman/Magnum Photos. Used with permission from The National Portrait Gallery. 

Tickets can be booked online in advance at the National Portrait Gallery website here or in person at the Gallery every day starting at 10 a.m. Ticket costs are including voluntary donation: Adult £10 / Concessions £8.50 or standard price: Adult: £9 / Concessions £7.50.

Head to Toe

Love shoes, fancy hats? Then we at The Amazing Blog have got the perfect event for you to visit. Head to Toe is an exhibition hosted by Craft Central where you can explore the craft process and skills behind the creativity and drama of the hats and shoes design world. The work comprises of a diverse group of 20 designers who will be showcased there.   You’ll be able to see their unique designs, and discover some really exciting creations with lots of innovative sculptural themes.

The event is held in celebration of London Fashion Week at the new galleries of Craft Central to show off its new facilities’ with great effect. So for all fashionistas who haven’t managed to get their exclusive invitation to LFW, this is the exhibition for you.

From avant-garde headpieces to shoes that we'll all be ooh-ing and ah-ing over, Head to Toe is definitely an event we'd be willing to skip our couch-hanging afternoon for. With astonishing pieces from the established milliner Stephen Jones, as well as the newer recruits Noel Stewart, House of Flora and Emma Yeo.   However, not forgetting to mention the inspired shoe creations from the likes of Marloes ten Bhömer, Hetty Rose and London College of Fashion Cordwainers, to just name a few.  This fashion exhibition is something you won’t want to miss. The show is from the 18th - 28th of February (open Monday - Friday) and best of all… entry is FREE.