Graham Sutherland, Figure and Maize, 1948. Canvas, 16 x 20 in. Gallery where purchased by A. Poliakoff in February 1952

The 20/21 British Art Fair is the only fair specialising exclusively in modern and contemporary British art. It will take place again this year at the Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7, from 16 to 20 September.

The Royal College of Art can justly be called the spiritual home of British art and, as such, provides an ideal setting for the fair which attracts some 60 of our leading dealers showing works by the great names of the 20th century: Bacon, Freud, Frink, Frost, Hepworth, Hockney, Hodgson, Lanyon, Lowry, Moore, Nash, Piper, Riley, Scott, Spencer and Sutherland to name a few. Alongside these will be a large selection of work by emerging and established contemporary artists, some of whom already have achieved international reputations – like Hirst, Emin, Grayson Perry et al – as well as work by emerging artists who may be the stars of tomorrow.

Market Still Strong

The market for good quality, well priced modern British art is holding up well, according to reports from the most recent fairs and exhibitions. The market today is also much deeper than it was at the time of the previous recession of the early 1990s and this will help sustain prices. ‘What’s the point of leaving the money in the bank earning little or no interest when I can buy a work of art which I can enjoy now?’ is often quoted by buyers.

The 20/21 British Art Fair, is now in its 22nd year. More than 90% from 2008 are returning this year, demonstrating the strength of this fair which, not only offers an enormous variety of art under one roof, but also an opportunity to tap into the expertise of the 60 leading dealers. Whether your taste is for the earlier work, Scottish Colourists, Pop Art pop art or the contemporary, the breadth and depth of more than a hundred years of British art may well surprise. With prices from the low hundreds to hundreds of thousands, it is not to be missed!