On the 18th and 19th October, the eighth Parallax Art Fair in three years will be returning to its usual home of Chelsea Town Hall on King’s Road. With over 200 exhibitors from all over the world, Parallax is the largest art fair of its kind – one where all exhibitors show their work commission-free, meaning that both new and established artists can exhibit side by side without great expense, allowing them to experiment in exhibiting new forms and concepts.
Angela Britton
The Parallax Art Fair was conceived by art historian and theorist Dr Chris Barlow in 2010, having previously curated an international exhibition with the same name. About the fair, Dr Barlow says:
“Parallax is a unique experience. It is the first event of its kind based on deconstruction theory. The objects on display are considered as possibly not “containing” meaning as such; it is the viewer that imparts meaning to the objects.”
Parallax aims to make art more accessible to everyone – both physically and intellectually – and to reach a broader audience. By “demystifying” art, Parallax hopes to allow a great opportunity for those outside the art world to enter it without pressure or prejudice. Indeed, Dr Barlow goes on to say:
“Art is for everyone. There is a myth that it must be “understood” – but who is to say what’s right? It can be an investment of course, but it can also simply be a Christmas present, or even just an enjoyable experience. It also doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are so many misconceptions about art – I genuinely hope that Parallax will help to start addressing some of them, and encouraging people to think about what art actually is.”
Chris Bell
A very wide variety of artistic works will be showcased at Parallax, including items of sculpture, crafts, textiles, jewellery, bags, clothing and much more. With over 3,000 visitors expected over the two-day event, Parallax is a fair that will interest both the keen art collector and the casual browser – as well as many a Christmas shopper! As both established and new artists will be exhibiting, there will be artworks available for all budgets – “It’s a wonderful opportunity for Christmas shoppers to obtain very special, unique gifts, and for collectors to indulge in some exceptional and unusual art, often very affordably,” says Dr Barlow.
More on the Parallax Art Fair can be found at www.barlowfinedrawings.com/parallaxaf.html. Entry to the fair is free, and you can register for tickets online at http://parallaxartfairlondon.eventbrite.co.uk/ – this enters you into the prize draw to win a return flight to Miami!
Parallax Art Fair
1pm – 8pm, Friday 18th October 2013
11am – 5pm, Saturday 19th October 2013
Chelsea Town Hall
King’s Road
SW3 2EE