Affordable Art Fair launches Art Without Walls, the UK’s largest outdoor art gallery – covering the streets of East London for two weeks from 14 June 2021, with vibrant art to support artists, independent galleries and inspire the nation.
After a year of gallery closures that hit artists and galleries hard, and cut the country off from a source of creative inspiration, they are repurposing space across London that would normally house adverts to instead exhibit 500 original works from independent galleries across the country.
All of the artwork will be available to buy via a QR link, which will take you directly to the Art Without Walls collection on the Affordable Art Fair site – with 100% of the proceeds going to the art industry.
By combining digital screens, posters and projections in high footfall locations, the gallery will generate the same amount of exposure per artwork as if it were hanging in the Tate Modern – the UK’s most popular cultural destination – for a week.1
Art Without Walls launches at a time when the UK is feeling a renewed sense of creativity as it emerges from an historic crisis.
Research commissioned by CAMPARI which is partnering with the AAF reveals that 77% of people are more open to arts and culture than before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unable to leave their homes or meet friends, and with an historic crisis to attempt to process, many turned to creative activities for the first time during the pandemic with photography (48%), drawing (45%), painting (39%) the most common. As a result, 68% of people admit that diving into an artistic diversion helped them to cope over the last year, with 64% hoping to continue with their newfound creative passion as a degree of normality (hopefully) returns.
The research also reveals that the British public are willing to invest in the art industry to help with its recovery post lockdown, with over half of respondents (56%) more likely to buy art as a result of their newfound creative interests.
Will Ramsay, founder of the Affordable Art Fair, who curated the vast outdoor gallery in the heart of the capital. Ramsay said: “My mission has always been to democratise the art world and make it accessible to all. Working to bring art into the outdoors and showcase the inspiring work of artists we have on our doorstep is a perfect example of this. Whether you’re interested in fine art photography or limited edition screen-prints, this gallery has something for you to discover, enjoy, and take inspiration from.
“All the limited edition, original artwork in this outdoor gallery will be available to purchase, making up for the many months of gallery closures and missed art fairs. We hope that visitors will bring these sources of inspiration into their own homes – all whilst helping those in the industry look forward and move on from an earth-shattering year.”
The creative industry has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic. A report from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee found that the COVID-19 crisis presents the biggest threat to the UK’s cultural infrastructure, institutions and workforce in a generation.2
According to a Parliamentary report, the decline in revenues and the number of workers furloughed in the cultural sector is second only to the accommodation and food sector – with approximately 70% of workers in arts and entertainment on furlough.3
London based artist Amy Gardner, said: “The last year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for us all. Lockdown, and the uncertainty that came with it, had a negative impact on my creativity as well as on the sales of my work with so many cancelled exhibitions. I was initially worried about the impact on my income, and like, many people, I was suddenly responsible for educating and caring for my wonderful girls, nothing short of a full-time job.
“With time, and through the support of others within the art industry, I was able to find a new level of creativity and an emergence of a whole new style and series of work that I’m really proud of and which has been incredibly well received. The Art Without Walls campaign is a wonderful show of support to the art community and I hope that my work brings some extra colour and joy to the streets of Shoreditch and to those who purchase it.”
To buy a piece you like from the gallery, or to simply be inspired, capture the QR link featured on the piece of art or visit https://affordableartfair.com/campaigns/campari-art-without-walls.
Will Ramsay Bio: Will Ramsay is the Founder and CEO of the Affordable Art Fair and Ramsay Fairs. In its historic 20th year, Affordable Art Fair started in Battersea in 1999 and this year stages 13 fairs in 10 cities, recently welcomed its 2.5 millionth visitor. Will is a shining light in the contemporary art world and is available to talk about the Art Without Walls campaign, it’s vision to democratize the art world, bringing inspiration to the masses and how we can all support these talented artists who have been impacted so heavily by the pandemic over the past year.
