Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair will present a solo exhibition of work by Jake Garfield (b.1990) at the Mayfair Art Weekend 24-26 June. Face-painting and pictures-within-pictures are recurring motifs in a series of multi-layered woodcuts exploring the notion of artistic persona. Garfield’s printmaking blurs the distinction between the world of the artist, the world of an image and meta-worlds within an image. These woodcuts present us with both the absurd and sincere moments of introspection as we are introduced to imagery of artists, clowns, museums, haircuts and childbirth.
Garfield’s practice is rooted in the woodcut printmaking process. Several works walk a tight-rope between representation and abstraction, which is born out of a tension between the illusory depth of each image and the inherent flatness of the woodcut medium. His unique practise is rooted in the Fair’s mantra to reinterpret traditional techniques for contemporary audiences and he has shown with the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair for a number of years.
Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair is proud to partner with Mayfair Art Weekend to showcase Garfield’s work ahead of its annual November fair. The recently opened Elizabeth Line will enable visitors to travel from the West End to Woolwich in just 15 minutes. The exhibition is made possible with the generous help of Grosvenor.
Founded in 2016 by Jack Bullen and Lizzie Glendinning, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair (WCPF) together with its online edition, form Europe’s largest art fair dedicated to highly collectible original print works.
WCPF operates a unique model, presenting a curated exhibition of independent artists selected through an international open call by a panel of industry experts, alongside many well-known names, and specialist gallery booths. This year the fair is celebrating becoming reachable in just 15mins from central London’s Bond Street via the newly opened Elizabeth Line.
Accessible for aspiring collectors, while also presenting noteworthy works by established names, prices can start from just under £100 and range through to work at £18,000 for the established print connoisseur. The Fair challenges preconceptions of original print by reinterpreting traditional techniques for contemporary audiences through an innovative programme of curated exhibitions, immersive installation and tailored artist projects. It brings together independent emerging voices with high-brow galleries and specialists in the medium, meaning there is something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
The fair’s Curated Hang is made up of work by successful applications from the annual International Artist Open Call. To keep the selection completely democratic and fresh each year, they have an annually changing panel of industry experts who carefully review each application individually & anonymously on a piece-by-piece basis.
Jake Garfield, Emerging Artist (And Other Favourites) at Mayfair Art Weekend 56 South Molton Street, W1K 5SH. 24-26 June 2022.
