In the build up to its 45th anniversary, Flowers Gallery brings a diverse showcase of international practitioners to the London Art Fair. Established in 1970 by Angela Flowers, the family run gallery was one of the first to open in London’s East End – now known as the capital’s most vibrant art scene. Growing into two spaces in London and one in New York, Flowers prides itself in its dynamic programme of all media by both established and emerging artists. The gallery is also an active publisher of prints and multiples. Aesthetica speaks to Sophie Hall, Gallery Director at Flowers, about the upcoming art fair and the gallery’s plans for 2015.
A: As a gallery that has been established for over 40 years, how are you looking to expand in 2015?
SH: Flowers Gallery will in fact celebrate its 45th anniversary on 10 February this year. The gallery already has three locations (two spaces in London; one in New York) and represents over 40 artists, with clients around the globe. At this time there are no plans to open a fourth space, but we work with a number of other galleries overseas who represent our artists around the world. We are also about to announce the addition of three exciting names to our roster of represented artists.
A: Your collection of contemporary international photography is always growing – will we see more of this at London Art Fair?
SH: Yes. We will show work by Simon Roberts from We English, Edward Burtynsky from his Water series, Nadav Kander from his Dust series, and two new works by Boyd and Evans which were fabricated using a brand new printing system called Chromaluxe.
A: You are presenting art by Tom Hammick at LAF- what drew you to his work?
SH: We have worked with Tom for a number of years, showing his prints through the Flowers Graphics exhibition programme since 2005. We have always received a good response to his work both in the UK and US, and we now show his paintings as well. His first major London exhibition since joining the gallery will be at our Kingsland Road gallery in September 2015 to coincide with the Lund Humphries monograph of his work. Tom is a fabulous painter and print maker. He makes ambitious work in both paint and print, drawing us in through his brilliant use of colour, texture and form. His works reflect on and reveal both the fragility of life on Earth and his intoxication with it.
A: When looking to collaborate with artists, do you favour emerging or more established work?
SH: Either. It will entirely depend on the project or exhibition. We have the advantage of the relationships formed through 45 years of the gallery, and an ambition to support new generations of artists, as seen for example through our Artist of the Day programme.
A: What exhibits and activities are you looking forward to at LAF this year?
SH: The partnership with Pallant House is very exciting. Not only providing an opportunity to see some of the wonderful works from the Pallant House collection, but also to celebrate great figurative works made through more traditional disciplines of paint and sculpture. The focus on photography at the fair is always interesting to engage with. Tom Lovelace will feature in the Photo50 exhibition; he is an emerging artist that we are working with at Flowers, and he has an exhibition with us in April 2015.
Flowers Gallery at London Art Fair, 21 – 25 January, Stand 36, London Art Fair, Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London, N1 0QH. Additional details are available at www.londonartfair.co.uk.
Discover more about Flowers Gallery at www.flowersgallery.com.
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Credits
1. Edward Burtynsky, Stepwell #4, Sagar Kund Baori, India (2013). Copyright Edward Burtynsky. Courtesy of Flowers Gallery London.
