Galleries - February 2014

art fair at the SCIENCE MUSEUM Although it’s had a slight modification to its title and is now known simply as the Works on Paper Fair, it still covers exactly the same wide range of techniques and periods as ever – from watercolours and drawings to prints, posters and photography and from Early and Old Master through Modern to Contemporary – as long as it’s on paper! Now in its 5th year, it‘s still in the same venue that has served it so well – the Level 1 Galleries of the Science Museum, South Kensington – its tall, spacious rooms somehow creating the kind of laid-back atmosphere that art fairs sometimes struggle to achieve. It’s a comfortable size too – 60 odd exhibitors – which means you can get to see most things before the stamina gives out. The pricing policy is sensible as well, with good entry-level at c.£250, £500-£10,000 for the majority of things and a high end of £75,000. As well as the very respectable roster of galleries and dealers they regularly attract, the Fair always supports some interesting ‘bonus’ displays, this year giving it all to the National Open Art Competition to show, and sell, the 20 shortlisted works and prize- winners from 2013. Some attractive things here – Matthew Draper’s virtuoso pastel of the Edinburgh cityscape Electric Light and Gina Soden’s striking photographs of abandoned locations. Good talks too, on everything from botanical to contemporary art and even one from the Fair’s artist-in-residence, Chloe Leaper. It’s only on four days – so don’t miss it. Nicholas Usherwood Fair runs from 6-9 FEBRUARY 2014 at the Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD www.worksonpaperfair.com 2 5 7