Collect: The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects

Stephen Bird - War on Pottery - seen here

I went back for a proper look around at Collect on Saturday, it's a real treat to see so much top quality work in one venue, I really enjoy the international aspect of the fair. Jewellery had a strong presence this year along with ceramics; textiles generally seem to be less well represented, however two Fibre Arts Wales members were showing, Laura Thomas with Ruthin Craft Centre and Michelle Griffiths with Lesley Craze Gallery. I was also delighted to find some pieces by ceramicist, Stephen Bird at the Bluecoat Display Centre stand.

Bettina Speckner - seen here

I really like Galerie Ra and Galerie Marzee, both Dutch based jewellery specialists. At Galerie Ra I made my (purely) fantasy purchase - a brooch from Bettina Speckner! Gallerie Marzee have a plan chest alongside their main display full of exquisite pieces from their gallery artists.

Galerie Marzee at Collect 2011 - seen here

Collect at Saatchi

Stefano Marchetti - seen here

I went along to The Saatchi Gallery last night for a preview of Collect: The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects. I'll be going back today for a closer look, but here are a few of the makers that I enjoyed on first sight.

David Gates - seen here

Ike Junger - seen here

Collect 2010

Collect 2010 international art fair for contemporary objects was held at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea for the second year over the weekend. I really enjoy the event, it's great to get this international perspective on craft objects. I'm not terribly keen on the Saatchi Gallery as a venue for the fair, the grand vision of the space is quite hard edged and somehow felt at odds with the intimacy of looking at beautifully crafted work. The event is unashamedly about selling however, and the work is expensive - so perhaps the Saatchi venue ultimately lends a bit of a hard-sell business edge to the proceedings. Being a complete pauper however, I am in no danger of being seduced into buying, so I am free to simply enjoy the work in and of itself!

Iris Eichenberg - Tranenmeer - seen here

One of the galleries that has stayed in my mind is Galerie Louise Smit based in Amsterdam. I liked a number of the makers, especially a very conceptual collection, Pink years later by Iris Eichenberg. Influenced, I would imagine by Louise Bourgeois, the work teeters between sexiness and repulsiveness using materials like fleshy pink plastic, gold, copper-plated silver, wool, rose quartz, tiny beads, ladies tights and girly ribbons. The elegant woman manning the stand showed us how to wear the pieces; with her elegant slim neck she could make a pair of flesh colour tights look amazingly glamorous!

Abstract America: New Painting and Sculpture

Guerra de la Paz - Nine

The Saatchi Gallery, now housed in the old Duke of York's HQ in Chelsea, is a grand and impressive place; I went earlier in the Year to visit Collect: The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects. On that occasion the nature of the show was less conducive to the grandeur of the building, but the current show Abstract America: New Painting and Sculpture works exceptionally well with the architecture of the gallery spaces. The work itself is often large - contemporary re-inventions embracing Abstract Expressionism; its scale and bravado. In truth, it is undoubtedly a lovely space and the work sits within it effortlessly - but it didn't actually engage me - I was more involved with enjoying the aesthetic than the work itself.

My favourite piece was the sculpture by Cuban born collaborators Guerra de la Paz. Using second hand clothing, the pair (Alain Guerra and Neraldo de la Paz) have used their medium to address issues of contemporary culture through the 'silent histories' of the garments they use and with reference to iconic and historic images.