Art Fair East has put on shows in Norwich for ten years and organisers, Will Teather and Brian Korteling, should be proud of their achievement. The participants are selected and then pay to have their work displayed, in common with the London, Mall Galleries and many other exhibitions. There is nothing wrong with this, but Art Fair East seems to have chosen some very average work among its selection. Thankfully, there was also an impressive array of stellar pieces on display.
The Work
Many who exhibited were either part of a gallery or exhibiting as individuals – all power to them. It’s so difficult at the moment to make a living from art and Art East gives many the opportunity to display and talk about their work. You will see the very ordinary dispersed among the extraordinary. Computer generated work by David Drinkwater was intriguing but hey – a computer made it.
If you’re a lover of landscape paintings, there are many on display here. Look out for Suffolk’s Ben Wardle who is displaying his extraordinary landscapes.
Alternatively, Andrew de Frieze is showing some of his stunning and eye-catching sculptures, and work. Andrew has participated in a multitude of international exhibitions, and firmly believes in, “taking an everyday object or material and giving it new meaning”.
And there were Giacometti-like sculptures, presented by London-based Capital Culture Gallery. Some of the works shown by this gallery were superb. Look out for the black and white photo images of the beautiful woman enjoying her cigar.
Art cognoscenti may be disappointed – this isn’t fine art at its best, but this space gives a platform for creators and generates a conversation about creativity. If anyone wants to participate in the centuries-long debate about what makes a creation a piece of art, go and see this exhibition. Alternatively, anyone looking to adorn their empty walls should visit this event and buy a piece of work that will illuminate their lives.
Norfolk painters
He may be an organiser, but Brian Korteling’s work is extraordinarily poignant and beautiful: his work moves the soul. Painted images of a golden thread, portraying the landscape though a cracked window are extraordinarily stunning. Anyone who’s spent any time traversing the Broads will instantly recognise the enduring mysterious, intrinsic foggy miasma and the sheer beauty of this environment as depicted by Brian on his canvases. His images are haunting.
Norwich-based Will Teather (see featured image), the show’s other organiser, has some of his work on display. Expect to see some beautiful portraits – some playful, others more sombre – and just relish his dynamic brush work, imagination and use of colour. Anyone who ventures into Norwich’s Tombland will be familiar with Will’s majestic paintings and portraits. He has a studio converted from a shop front and you’ll be able to enjoy Will’s work just by walking down the street.
Art Fair East is well worth a visit and is open daily from Friday 7th November until Sunday 9th November at Norwich’s Assembly House. As the organisers say themselves, “the event provides visitors with the chance to see both a wide range of artworks by international and regional artists, plus meet many experts and artists at the event. There will be works for sale throughout the exhibition, ranging from affordable art through to investment pieces. Art Fair Norwich.”
Art Fair East is at The Assembly House, Theatre St, Norwich NR2 1RQ. Tickets £5 or £3.50 concessions, under 16s are free. Opening hours: Friday 7th November 10.30am to 5.30pm; Saturday 8th November 10.30am to 6.00pm; Sunday 9th November 10.30am to 5pm.
There are several car parks in the surrounding area including The Forum Norwich Carpark, only a few minutes walk away in Bethel St, Norwich NR2 1TF.
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