While Shoreditch may be London’s undisputed playground for art rebels and rule breakers, this September the spotlight shifts west—straight to Chelsea. From 25 to 28 September 2025, British Art Fair returns to Saatchi Gallery, bringing together a wildly dynamic programme of modern and contemporary British art. And honestly? It’s a must for anyone who claims to love the UK’s creative pulse.
If you’ve ever walked past a hidden gallery off Redchurch Street or debated the merits of abstract realism at a Shoreditch pop-up, this fair is for you. But forget gallery snobbery—British Art Fair 2025 is about legacy and experimentation, showcasing work by Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Frank Auerbach, and Banksy alongside overlooked greats and digital newcomers.
Shifting the Spotlight: British Art Fair Brings Balance to the Canon
The focus keyword British Art Fair truly comes to life with Unsung, a feature exhibition curated by journalist Colin Gleadell. It champions Modern British artists whose careers were eclipsed by more famous contemporaries or stifled by the art world’s selective memory.
Here, we’re not just talking side notes. We’re talking Graham Sutherland versus Francis Bacon, Mary Newcomb versus Winifred Nicholson, and Aubrey Williams versus Frank Bowling. Gleadell pulls back the curtain on decades of imbalance and presents a bold, redemptive curation that feels long overdue.
Digitalism and SOLO CONTEMPORARY: Two Sections Redefining What British Art Can Be
Returning this year is SOLO CONTEMPORARY, curated by Zavier Ellis, spotlighting some of the UK’s freshest independent artists and gallerists. These are the rule-breakers, the ones disrupting the norm from Camden to Hackney Wick, and now taking over Chelsea with raw, unapologetic energy.
Meanwhile, Digitalism, curated by Rebecca Tolley-Georgiou, continues its rise as one of the fair’s most talked-about sections. It’s immersive, sharp, and defiantly tech-forward. If you’re into generative visuals, glitch aesthetics, or experimental formats—welcome home.
It’s a strong statement: British art doesn’t end with oil on canvas. It evolves, mutates, and glows.
A Creative Culture That Heals: Hospital Rooms Joins as Charity Partner
In a perfect union of artistry and empathy, British Art Fair 2025 partners with Hospital Rooms, a charity transforming mental health hospitals with large-scale art installations. At the fair, they’ll create a calming lounge filled with artist-designed furniture, inviting visitors to rest, reflect, and rethink what therapeutic spaces can be.
A limited-edition print sale by a leading contemporary artist will raise funds for new projects and workshops for patients. Art isn’t just for walls—it’s for wellbeing.
Modern British Art: Still the Best-Kept Secret in the Market?
According to BLAST, British Art Fair’s monthly market insights report, collectors are finally catching on. Christie’s March sales of Modern British and Irish Art totalled £14.66 million—far exceeding expectations. Meanwhile, underrepresented artists such as Dame Sonia Boyce OBE and Aubrey Williams are seeing rightful momentum in both public and private collections.
The fair proves that British art—especially work born out of struggle, silence or resistance—is finally getting its due.
What to Expect at Saatchi Gallery
Saatchi Gallery’s clean lines and bright galleries offer a perfect contrast to the vibrant chaos of what’s on show. Visitors can explore work across media—sculpture, ceramics, photography, drawing, and printmaking. Over 80 of the UK’s most exciting galleries will be on hand, from Osborne Samuel to Huxley-Parlour, presenting works by everyone from Henry Moore to Gwen John.
It’s a cultural event with edge, intelligence, and Instagram-worthy moments at every corner.
From Shoreditch to Saatchi, Creativity is London’s Common Ground
This isn’t just about Chelsea. It’s about London as a whole. The same spirit that fuels East London’s art collectives is pulsing through this year’s British Art Fair—challenging traditions, uplifting unheard voices, and experimenting with the future.
So go west for the weekend. You’ll return inspired, recalibrated, and maybe even carrying an Unsung piece under your arm.
Explore more London-wide art in our creativity & culture section, and don’t forget to share this with a fellow art-lover.