Creative inspiration at Brighton Art Fair 2012
Brighton Art Fair welcomes an eclectic gathering of visual artists to the Corn Exchange this September
Local artist Sarah Young and administrator Jon Tutton spent many years exhibiting at craft and art fairs. Some were good, some were busy but poor for sales, some were simply dire, and so they got a good grip on what they wanted to achieve when they set up Brighton Art Fair in 2003 and then Brighton Craft Fair (MADE – Brighton) which takes place in November. Both shows were organised to fill a gap in a very creative town where opportunities to sell work were strangely thin on the ground. Art Fair Director Jon Tutton says; “I think that we have built up a reputation for delivering an art fair that is enjoyed by the visitors and exhibitors alike; it’s friendly and fun but without compromising on the originality and quality of the work on show.”
Brighton Art Fair showcases over 120 contemporary artists and attracts a capacity audience of nearly 6,000 visitors to the beautiful Corn Exchange in the heart of the city. The fair has built a very strong reputation for exhibiting exceptional quality and original artwork in a relaxed, informal and friendly environment.
Brighton Art Fair is the largest visual art exhibition on the South Coast, with year on year sales growth exceeding expectations. Over half a million pounds’ worth of art was sold in 2011, including the commissioning work which inevitably arises from such events.
The selection panel have once again organised a stunning show. Painters, printmakers, ceramicists, photographers and sculptors will be exhibiting with the most original and eclectic work across as wide a variety of methods and subjects as possible. Artists themselves sell their work direct to the public, bringing a personal feel to viewing and to the buying process. Visitors enjoy meeting the artists – learning about their creative inspirations, techniques and future projects.
This time around, Brighton Art Fair is delighted to welcome Christopher Sacre who will be showing his work in the entrance foyer. Christopher’s epiphany as an artist arrived unexpectedly when he discovered a happy marriage between condoms and plaster in 2010. The resultant installation, ‘See What This Man Gave Birth To After Using 2,000 Condoms In 22 Days’ consisted of 2,000 plaster ‘babies’ – simple cast forms whose method of production references the way in which a used condom is knotted and discarded. “Would they be black? White? Deaf? Disabled?” he asks. “The sperm left inside the condom all looks the same…”
For the Brighton Art Fair, Christopher has been inspired to create new artworks based on his installation. Using bold colours from our national flag and the Olympic rings he explores new territory, but, as ever, chooses to remain ambiguous as to the meaning and 
form the work will take. Christopher says, “It’s an honour to be invited to showcase my work at Brighton Art Fair, which I consider to be one of the increasingly important dates in the art calendar. I’m a little daunted to be honest but looking forward to meeting everyone!”
The Private View takes place on the evening of Thursday 20 September, and is by invitation only. On arrival each visitor will get a glass of wine generously supplied by Harvey’s of Lewes, and canapes will be on offer, each handmade by local caterers Elizabeth Caton. The fair will then be open to the public on Friday 21 September from 11am – 7.30pm, Saturday 22 from 10am – 6pm and Sunday 23 from 10am – 5pm. Brighton Art Fair, 21 – 23 September 2012, Corn Exchange, Church Street, Brighton, tickets £6 on the door, children under 14 free. www.brightonartfair.co.uk
