MORE than 6500 art lovers eager to snap up an original piece of contemporary work filed through the doors of Oxford Town Hall over the weekend (Friday 25th to Sunday 27th February 2017) as the city hosted the fourth Oxford International Art Fair.
The three halls in the venue were packed with over 150 artists and galleries from some 26 countries around the world and the atmosphere was charged with energy as visitors took in the wide range of unique art available and took pieces they had purchased home to adorn a living or work space wall.
The fair’s relatively small size makes it easy to consume and not challenging to revisit your favorite booths after the first go around. It also strikes a good balance between fun and substance, with a smattering of big names such as Damien Hirst and a sizable pool of lesser-known artists.
Artists and galleries reported bustling trade during the three day free art event, with many making multiple sales and receiving commissions on original paintings, sculptures, photography, prints and illustrations.
Visitors from as far as Paris came over specifically to visit the Art Fair. Visitor Mrs Jeanvieve (Paris) said: "I have always been keen on Contemporary Art, and to see art in a place with such great history and ambience is spectacular. I am wow-ed by the artworks on show, and bought 3 pieces by upcoming talent. I will visit the Amsterdam International Art Fair next, as Tokyo is a bit far for me."
One of the favourites Justin Davies: "I just wanted to congratulate the organisation on another excellent art exhibition. As always it was well organised and gets better every year. I had a very successful exhibition selling a piece for £1300 and two commissions. I met many artists and made new friends and contacts in a fantastic venue and atmosphere."
Digital Artist MartinR said: "I wanted to thank you so much for the wondrous exhibition at Oxford. It was a great pleasure to be a part of it. Of all the exhibitions I have been during the past 12 months, several in London and some in Bristol, yours is the one I find to be the best of them all. Both the organisation and the help provided by your team at the exhibition, friendly, helpful, a pleasure. So much so, that I will no doubt be in Oxford for the next one."
Abstract Artist Bea Palatinus said: "I would like to express my thanks and gratitude for having had the opportunity to exhibit at the 2017 Fair. It was a wonderful and very enjoyable experience for me, with lots of very positive feedback and kindness from the people who visited the exhibition. I think I will remember these three days as one of the greatest times in my life and certainly will consider it a very important milestone in my art career, with all the reassurance I received from the visitors, artists as well as the staff themselves who contributed to the event in a very professional and helpful manner. I sold three of my paintings, but even without the sales I would have the exact same opinion - a great time among people who love art. I had some really meaningful conversations, made connections, even friends, and just basically had lots of fun at the fair. So please count me in in your next fair in 2018, I'll certainly apply and be there if I have the chance. I was especially glad to meet two of your staff, Victory, a very intelligent and kind young lady and Laura, who was very helpful and also very enthusiastic, but everyone in your staff was really friendly, smiling, making us all feel home and welcome. Everything was very professionally organized - so I'd like to congratulate and thank you for your work!"
THE GLOBAL ART AWARDS 2017.
Giving Artists the recognition that they deserve and acknowledgement for their hard work. The Awards were judged by Richard Knight (former Christie's Chairman), Bill Heine (BBC Presenter), and Esther Lafferty (Artweeks Director).
, won the first prize of 'Best Artist Oxford International Art Fair 2017', and was chosen as a winner for his 'Regeneration' graphic artworks.
Followed by who won the second prize of 'Best Artist Oxford International Art Fair 2017' who paints artworks that are fascinating to look at, capturing detailed shadows of dots of paint - a fresh concept.
With winning the third prize of 'Best Artist Oxford International Art Fair 2017' who's photography art of 'Roy's (little) People in surreal situation creates a fun energy mixed with a pop art sense - a favourite of the jury as well as the public who voted for him.
Dates 2018
Next year's edition of the Oxford International Art Fair will be held at the Oxford Town Hall on Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February 2018.
