Every September, the Saatchi Gallery throws open its doors to one of the UK’s most important art world gatherings: the British Art Fair. Since its launch in 1988, the fair has become the flagship platform for Modern and Contemporary British art, drawing collectors, curators, and enthusiasts from across the globe. With over 12,000 visitors annually, it’s a place to revisit 20th-century masters, discover bold new voices, and experience cutting-edge digital work.
The 2025 edition (25–28 September) spans two floors of the Saatchi, bringing together over 80 specialist dealers and an enviable line-up of artists including Bridget Riley, Frank Auerbach, David Hockney, Barbara Hepworth, L.S. Lowry, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Paula Rego, and Banksy. Alongside established names are curated sections championing innovation, rediscovery, and community impact.
Here are nine highlights not to miss:
1. SOLO Contemporary
Curated by artist and gallerist Zavier Ellis, SOLO Contemporary is back for its fourth year, giving ten forward-thinking galleries the chance to spotlight one contemporary artist each.
Highlights to look out for are Ru Knox’s dance-inspired abstract paintings at Guerin Projects, Barry Yusufu’s atmospheric portraits (99 Loop Gallery, curated by Virginia Damtsa), Melissa Kime’s autumnal folkloric paintings exhibited by Charlie Smith London, Ayogu Kingsley’s myth-infused canvases at The African Art Hub, and Gill Button’s haunting portraits at James Freeman Gallery. Together they offer a vibrant snapshot of today’s British and international contemporary scene.
2. Digitalism: Art in the Virtual Age
After its buzzy debut last year, Digitalism returns with an expanded programme curated by Rebecca Tolley-Georgiou. Featuring 27 stands and over 60 UK-based artists, the section spans AI imagery, digital painting, AR, VR, robotics and moving-image art. With the physical and virtual increasingly intertwined, Digitalism feels timely and essential. Names to look out for include Marco Conti Sikic (MCSK), KWEL, Cem Hasimi and Studio Siddhartha Kunti.
3. Hospital Rooms – Charity Partner
This year’s charity partner is Hospital Rooms, a pioneering non-profit transforming mental health hospitals through art. For BAF 2025, they unveil a site-specific installation on the Saatchi’s second floor: a contemplative space with artist-designed furniture. Funds are also being raised via Time Flies, a limited-edition print series by Sutapa Biswas featuring colourful birds. It’s a reminder that art is not only for collecting but also for healing and social change.
4. The Scottish Gallery
Modern Masters XIX at The Scottish Gallery shines a spotlight on Scotland’s post-war art scene, with works by Joan Eardley, James Cumming and a striking Sax Shaw tapestry. The display highlights Scotland’s contribution to modernism across painting, textiles, and design.
5. Willoughby Gerrish
A carefully curated stand featuring Ian Davenport’s hypnotic drip painting, Bridget Riley’s signature abstraction, Peter Blake’s witty portraiture, and a majestic Emily Young bust. A perfect microcosm of British artistic breadth.
6. Art Movement
Sophie Crockett’s radiant canvases, including Harvest Moon over les Jasses, evoke Gauguin’s tropics and Chagall’s dreamscapes. Art Movement also brings work by Geoff Catlow, Claire Chandler, Henry McAlpine and Alvaro Petritoli–an eclectic, colourful selection.
7. Blond Contemporary
David Hockney’s iPad drawings of spring in Normandy, alongside a drawing of his house there, are the centrepiece here. Previously shown at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, these prints are accompanied by Henry Moore’s large-scale screenprint Two Standing Figures and paintings by Clyde Hopkins.
8. Liss Llewellyn
Specialists in Modern British art, Liss Llewellyn present a characterful display of John Armstrong, Evelyn Dunbar, Tirzah Garwood, and Rachel Reckitt, theatrically staged against wallpaper designed by Eric Ravilious.
9. Unsung
Curated by art market journalist and BAF Advisory Committee member Colin Gleadell, Unsung gives overdue recognition to more than 30 Modern British artists who have long been overshadowed by better-known contemporaries. Highlights include works by Antony Eyton, William Johnstone, Graham Sutherland and Ray Atkins. Dealers nominated the artists, while Gleadell shaped the final line-up, offering fairgoers the thrill of rediscovery.
British Art Fair 2025 25th–28th September, Saatchi Gallery britishartfair.co.uk/exhibitors
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Lee Sharrock is a global creative PR consultant, freelance curator, artist and contributor to FAD, Artlyst, Artplugged and Creative Review. Lee is also the founder of Culturalee.art. Culturalee is a celebration of the rich global tapestry of culture, including art exhibitions, museum shows, art fairs, cultural destinations, design, film, fashion, photography and literature. Culturalee highlights some of the most exciting talent and hotbeds of culture around the world with interviews, reviews and features. Lee studied at Norwich University of the Arts, University College London (UCL) and la Universita di Bologna, before embarking on a career in the art world and advertising industry. She started her career at Sotheby’s Auctioneers and worked at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), M&C Saatchi, Timothy Taylor Gallery and Saatchi & Saatchi before launching Lee Sharrock PR as a bespoke cultural PR consultancy.www.leesharrock.co.uk
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