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Where to peruse for prints

London is a hub for the global art world. Anchored in its world famous public galleries, there are commercial galleries dotted across the city, displaying and selling art from some of the world’s top contemporary artists.

There are also a wealth of art fairs, where you can see works ranging from top artists to newcomers. Ranging from the upmarket get-togethers for big spenders, to showcases for cutting edge lesser-established artists, art fairs can be a great way to browse a breadth of different work outside a traditional gallery setting. If you’re looking to pick up something for your home or office, they can be a good way to seek out something unique.

Increasingly, there are extra products on sale alongside the art itself too: custom merch, such as screen printed t-shirts or tote bags. At ICON, we’ve worked with many of the city’s most exciting galleries, big and small, as many in the art world create custom merch as a way to have something to offer for art lovers who might not be able to afford to buy original art pieces, or as an alternative way to promote a show, gallery or exhibition.

(For inspiration in designing your own merch, head here for our tips on t-shirt design; and head here for some tote bag design inspiration.)

Whether you’re in the market for screen-printed art t-shirts, original paintings or experimental photography, we’ve rounded up the breadth of London’s best art fairs, and when you can go and visit them.

Frieze London Fair

Contemporary art magazine Frieze hosts a four-day festival every October showcasing the work of leading contemporary artists from around the world. As well as showing the latest breakout stars in action, the festival holds a curated programme of talks, artists’ commissions and film projects,

When:  8 – 11 Oct 2020  Where: Regent’s Park Admission: £27-35

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@naturemorte_delhi presented works by Mrinalini Mukherjee for #Woven a new curated section at Frieze London. Despite the diversity of materials, her sculptures explore formal parameters of the figurative, the vegetal, and the abstract. #frieze #friezeartfair #mrinalinimukherjee #naturemortedelhi #friezelondon

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Affordable Art Fair

One of the most accessible art fairs out there, The Affordable Art Fair is a great introduction to the art fair world. With a breathtaking breadth of work on display, art novices and experts can be enraptured by the collection on display. The fair’s name can be something of a misnomer, however, with several works available for purchase for the showcase’s £6000 upper limit. 

When: March and October in Battersea, November in Hampstead Where: Battersea Park and Hampstead Heath Admission: £10-12

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With 114 galleries and thousands of artworks to browse at our Battersea Autumn Fair, combined with the distractions of friends, food, cocktails and cute dogs… you'd have to be super-human to remember every piece you liked! 🍸 Give your memory a nudge with our full list of exhibiting galleries, many of which are available to shop in our specially created Battersea Category on our online marketplace. Link in bio 👆 . . #affordableartfair #affordableartfairuk #affordableart #artfair #contemporaryart #oiloncanvas #fromthearchives #privateview #originalartwork #buyartonline #dogswelcome

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1-54 Contemporary Art Fair

Founded in 2013, 1-54 is the first leading international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, featuring compelling and landmark art from the 54 African nations. 

When: October 3-6 Where: Somerset House Admission: Day Ticket £25.00, Concessions £10.00

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@claireolivergallery presenting works by @bisabutler and @adebooms

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New Artist Fair

Described as the best value art fair in London, the New Artist Fair is an artist-run organisation designed to cut gallery level commission charges and sell work directly to art lovers, with prices ranging from £50 to £2000. 

When: TBC Where: Old Truman Brewery Admission: Free

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Our Private View night is just a few hours away as we open the doors to this year’s New Artist Fair 2019! Our artists are busy hanging their stunning work in preparation for one of London’s best art fairs for new and emerging artists @new_artist_fair @trumanbrewery tickets available for tonight (see link in bio). FREE ENTRY Saturday & Sunday. #newartistfair #trumanbrewery #contemporaryart #affordableart #newart #newartist #artfair #artevent #summerexhibition #london #e1 #spitalfields #bricklane #elysyard #hanburystreet #draywalk #artdistrict #buyart #artcollector #investinart #newartistfair2019 #explorepage #foryou

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Free Range

Free Range graduate art fair highlights the best work from upcoming artists, photographers and designers. Staged over three floors, the enormous fair includes work from graduates of academic and creative institutions spanning from Edinburgh to Brighton. 

When: Photography Week One: 18th – 22nd June, Photography Week Two: 25th – 29th June and Art Week: 2nd – 6th July Where: Truman Brewery Admission: Free

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Great night for the Art Week PV last night – congrats to all exhibitors and thanks everyone for coming! We’re open 11am-6pm today and all weekend, 11am-4pm on Monday. This weekend our partners @madeinartslondon will be holding an exciting day events programme, with all events free, check out their website madeinartslondon.com for details on events. Hope to see you all there! #supportnewtalent

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Parallax Art Fair

Despite its prestigious location, Parallax Art Fair is full of work made by international artists for a reasonable price tag. This fair is best for those who are looking to procure a piece from an artist they would not find on display elsewhere.

When: February, May, July and October Where: Chelsea Town Hall Admission: £2

London Original Print Fair

Fifty dealers work across London’s Original Print Fair, curating more classical prints through to contemporary selections. Prices range from £100 to £100,000

When: Every April Where: Royal Academy Admission: £12

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Director Helen Rosslyn and chairman Gordon Cooke leave the fair as another successful year comes to an end. Thank you to all who came and to all the galleries who exhibited , and of course to @royalacademyarts #fair #royalacademy #royalacademyofarts #londonorginalprintfair #printmaking #prints #weloveprints #anotheryearover #printcollecting #londonprint #untilnextyear #weloveprints #bankholiday #art #printmakers #buyprints #collecting #printingpress #art

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Roy’s People Art Fair

Display art for the people, says the affordable alternative art fair. Created by artists Roy’s People & Samuel Peacock, this fair is set up to encourage customers to chat to the displayed artists about their work, as well as live painting from its exhibitors and creative workshops. Register now for the chance to receive a £100 goody bag.

When: 2-5 April  Where: Oxo Tower Wharf Admission: Free

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Reliving our most recent and most successful event to date @trumanbrewery where we will hopefully be returning to in 2020 😬😯😀👊 #roys #artfair #makeithappen

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Talented Art Fair

Also hosted at Trumans Brewery, the Talented Art Fair is known for its artists who are on the verge of hitting the big time, with previous work from John Ball and Marcus Jake showcased at the previous exhibition.

When: Every March and September Where: Trumans Brewery Admission: Free

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Wonderful to see all the incredible art going up @talentedartfair @trumanbrewery #art #originalart PV Fri 1st March 6-9pm, FREE ENTRY 2-3 March 12-6.30pm Sat & Sun The Truman Brewery #londonlife #londonlifestyle . #talentedartfair #artfair #artevent #artexhibition #investinart #buyart #spitalfields #bricklane #london #e1 #artdistrict #talentedartfair2019 #interiors #designers

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The Other Art Fair

In its own words, The Other Art Fair was established to bridge the gap between a London audience eager to discover the next big thing and talented artists struggling to gain recognition. This is the place to get artworks from those in the spotlight who are making their way into the main gallery system. 

When: October 3-6 Where: Victoria House Admission: From £50

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Throwback to our last few fairs of 2019! LA to Dallas to London to Sydney to Brooklyn – What a whirlwind 🌀 Who's ready for next year already? #Throwback #TBT

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Looking to create custom merch to promote your art gallery or visual arts project? At ICON Printing we can deliver fast turnaround custom printed t-shirts, tote bags, and more, and count clients including Tate, Studio Xag, and north design. Get a quote in 2 minutes online.