Fair News

A Greener Future for The Other Art Fair

In 2019 The Other Art Fair is set to host 12 fairs in 7 cities across the globe, growing from our first fair in 2011 in London. With this growth comes a greater awareness and responsibility of the impact we are having on both the creative sphere and the environment. Fair Founder Ryan Stanier introduces our new venture for 2019 and beyond – A ‘Greener Future’

“I started The Other Art Fair back in 2011 to support unrepresented artists. Since then we have sold over 20,000 artworks, welcomed over 200,000 visitors and worked with more than 3,000 artists across 20 countries.

Eight years on and our mission has expanded. I believe we can still do more but in order to continue working with artists, and developing events which both stimulate and surprise our audiences, we must aim to do this in a sustainable way.

Events so often have a negative impact on the environment and an art fair is no different. We have therefore set ourselves the challenge to be more thoughtful in every decision we make as an organisation and our commitment is to be as environmentally aware as possible. We are now working towards being wholly sustainable and across all our fairs we are taking steps to get much closer to that.

To do this we are working with Broadcaster and Head of Collections at Soho House – Kate Bryan. Kate is very passionate about the sustainability and she will be curating a number of initiatives to highlight many of the issues faced by both artists and organisations like ourselves.

The Other Art Fair is committed to making a difference. I believe we are currently having a positive impact on the art world by cultivating the emerging part of the market, but in order to create art we need a healthy world to be both inspired by and to live in.

It’s yet another reason we are The “Other” Art Fair.” Ryan Stanier, Founder of The Other Art Fair

Some key initiatives we are bringing to our fairs globally, curated by Kate Bryan:

“We all know we should be doing more to be greener but more often than not we know that for many individuals the sheer scale of the global environmental issue is overwhelming. The Other Art Fair presents a safe space for us art lovers to come together and talk things out and actively make steps for a Greener Future within our own sphere of activity. This is not about fixing every practice right away, I am sure as each fair ends, we will have learnt new ways to improve for the next edition. It has to be a guilt-free, positive journey we all take together. Artists for me have the brightest ideas and see things in a unique way, I can’t wait to see what emerges from their creative take on building a Greener Future.” Kate Bryan, Curator of Greener Future

Upcycle

Kate Bryan will curate a daily programme of artists working live at the fairs. Encouraged to bring an unwanted print, an unloved old painting, their own artwork or a tired piece resigned to the junkpile, the public can pay £95 to have their artwork ‘Upcycled’ by an emerging and well-known artist. Artists include, Janet Laurence, Charming Baker, James Gordon, Camie Lyons, Tom Pope, Eliza Hopewell, and Jennifer Keeler Milne – With more to be announced with each fair throughout the year!

Reuse

A limited edition drinking cup designed by David Shrigley cup will be available to purchase online and at every fair. This will replace single use plastic bottles and cups and the fairs globally. As well as being a key piece of eco-kit, it is also an artwork acquisition.

Clean Wrap

All wrapping materials will be recycled paper, and wrapping tape and bubble wrap will be biodegradable and recycled.

Feedback Wall

Each fair will have a permanent wall designed by a local artist which allows visitors to leave ideas and suggestions to further the cause. This is an ongoing and multifaceted campaign and the organisers would like to create a guilt-free space for an activated audience to create a community of art lovers who help each other be more eco-aware.