Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, together with its online edition, form Europe’s largest art fair dedicated to highly collectible print works. Founded in 2016, by Gallerists Jack Bullen and Lizzie Glendinning, each year, WCPF showcases the very best of contemporary print in a unique hybrid exhibition including a curated selection of independent artists chosen through an international open call, many well-known names, and specialist gallery booths at London’s historic Royal Arsenal.
Here are six things to know about this week’s Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair:
1. This year, the Fair is even easier to reach from East London via the gorgeous new Elizabeth Line – just four stops from Liverpool Street to Woolwich and only 15 mins from the West End. You can also travel in style by Uber Boat, with Woolwich Pier just 1 minute walk from the venue.
2. You can explore, discover, and collect the very best in international contemporary original print from over 500 artists and leading galleries at London’s latest landmark creative destination. There’s an innovative wider programme of curated exhibitions, immersive installations and tailored artist projects, including prints by world-class artists such as Paula Rego, Julian Opie, Sir Michael Craig Martin, Gary Hume, Mona Hatoum, Yinka Shonibare, Tom Hammick, Gavin Turk, and Grayson Perry.
3. There are daily 3pm bespoke director tours which are open to everyone and free for ticket holders. The tours are curated to best present the high quality, new and unexpected work in the Fair and offer visitors the chance to find out about the up-and-coming, established, and big name artists at WCPF.
4. Shoreditch stalwarts Jealous Gallery will be releasing a brand new David Shrigley edition ‘Ignore The Ghosts’ in conjunction with the Fair. The print will be released exclusively at the VIP opening of the fair on Wednesday 2 November from 4pm. Jealous will be taking purchases for the edition in the foyer of the fair. Sales are limited to one print per person and will be available on a first come first service basis with no pre-sales or reservations permitted.
5. New to the Fair this year, Bonhams’ Prints & Multiples department will be presenting a dedicated showroom. They will showcase a selection of works by renowned contemporary artists including The Connor Brothers, Harland Miller, David Shrigley and Tracey Emin.
6. By bringing together both independent artists and gallery led booths, WCPF offers an entirely unique and exciting art fair experience. The annual Curated Hang is comprised of artwork by successful applications from the International Artist Open Call. It brings high quality new and unexpected work into the Fair, while platforming independent, up-and-coming, global artists. To keep the selection completely democratic and fresh for each edition, the selection panel of industry experts changes annually, and the works are carefully reviewed individually and anonymously on a piece-by-piece basis.
Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair brings together independent emerging voices with established galleries and specialists in the medium, with something for everyone to explore and enjoy, and new avenues from which to discover it. An unmissable highlight for London’s art lovers.
woolwichprintfair.com from 3-6 November.