From Ivon Hitchens to Tracey Emin, Saatchi Gallery becomes a cathedral of British creativity this September.
The British Art Fair 2025 is back — and it’s doing what Shoreditch does best: spotlighting the overlooked, uplifting the avant-garde, and making art feel alive again. Running from 25 to 28 September at the iconic Saatchi Gallery, this year’s edition celebrates the brilliance of Modern and Contemporary British art, with over 80 leading galleries, fresh curations, and a powerful new charity partner.
In a London that too often sidelines its own cultural legends, this fair boldly puts them front and centre.
Spotlight on the Unsung: Rediscovering Overlooked Icons
One of the most compelling features this year is ‘Unsung’, a sharp and necessary curation by Colin Gleadell. This special exhibition digs deep into the untold stories of Modern British artists who’ve lived in the shadow of their more famous contemporaries.
Think John Nash, often eclipsed by brother Paul. Or Balraj Khanna, standing in the silhouette of M.F. Husain. These artists, once forgotten or underrated, finally get the wall space and reverence they deserve. It’s not just history—it’s correction.
This theme of artistic resurrection resonates deeply with Shoreditch culture, where reinvention and recognition go hand in hand.
A Contemporary Current: SOLO CONTEMPORARY Returns
Bringing modern energy to historic grounding, SOLO CONTEMPORARY returns with bold force. Curated by Zavier Ellis, this section elevates some of the UK’s most exciting emerging gallerists and contemporary artists. It’s punchy, it’s provocative, and it’s where collectors and culture vultures find the names of tomorrow.
This is where you’ll find the spirit of East London’s creativity — loud, boundary-pushing, and unapologetically new.
Art Gets Digital: Exploring ‘Digitalism’
Back by popular demand, Digitalism dives headfirst into the kaleidoscopic world of digital art. Curated by Rebecca Tolley-Georgiou, this immersive experience showcases the best in British-born digital experimentation.
From virtual sculpture to code-driven canvases, this isn’t your typical art-on-the-wall moment. It’s sensory, it’s smart, and it proves that British art isn’t stuck in the past — it’s inventing the future.
A Fair That Gives Back: Hospital Rooms as Charity Partner
For 2025, the British Art Fair partners with Hospital Rooms, a brilliant arts and mental health charity transforming clinical spaces into colourful sanctuaries of care and creativity.
Expect an artist-designed chill-out zone at the fair, complete with immersive décor and thoughtful conversation. Limited edition prints will raise funds for new art installations in UK mental health hospitals. This is art doing something — not just saying something.
In a city like London, where the mental health crisis runs deep, this partnership couldn’t be more vital or timely.
Inside the Galleries: Who’s Showing What
More than 80 top UK galleries are part of the 2025 fair. Returning heavyweights like Osborne Samuel, The Fine Art Society, and Patrick Bourne will exhibit works by icons such as Frank Auerbach, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney, Bridget Riley, and Henry Moore.
Also on display: pieces from living legends like Banksy, Tracey Emin, and Damien Hirst. And for those hunting the next big thing? New exhibitors like Sisters Grimm, Gallery Ten, and Jonathan Soden are bringing fresh, fierce energy to the mix.
The vibe is classic meets current. Tradition in conversation with rebellion. Very Shoreditch.
More Than a Fair: A Cultural Barometer
Alongside the exhibitions, the British Art Fair publishes BLAST, a market insight report offering sharp analysis on Modern British art’s performance. While global markets wobble, the British scene is steady — even rising.
Recent auctions show that previously underappreciated artists are making serious moves. The message? British art is finally getting the international recognition it deserves.
A Capital Cultural Date for Your Diary
Held in the striking rooms of the Saatchi Gallery — with its bright light, clean lines and Chelsea cool — the British Art Fair is more than just an event. It’s a celebration of creative resilience and reinvention. It’s where past masters meet future disruptors.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or an art-curious Londoner in search of visual thrills, this is one autumn weekend you won’t want to miss.
British Art Fair 2025 Details:
📅 25–28 September 2025
📍 Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4RY
🎟️ britishartfair.co.uk
