After an eventful month on the Art scene in London with the ARTRooms and London Art Fair. I decided to see what other art fairs had to offer outside London. With this in mind, I made my way to the historic city of oxford for the 2nd Oxford International Art Fair , taking place at the Oxford Town Hall, a jewel in the city centre of Oxford next to Christ Church College.
On arrival, I was greeted by this magnificent grade 2* Victorian building, which is also home to the Oxford museum.
The reception hall welcomed me, with its central grand staircase leading to the first-floor landing hall with stone and plaster detailing in a broadly Jacobean style. At the Landing hall, on the left was the entrance to the main hall, the biggest room of the fair.
The main room and ceiling is gorgeous and furnished in ornate modelled plaster decorations. The room had balconies, with heavily enriched, stucco all around the hall.
At the back of the main hall, was a stage with a live band, serenading the crowd with jazz music, which gave the fair a lively atmosphere. 
The fair lived up to its name as an international fair with artists from all over the globe from Australia, Dubai, India, Nigeria to local artists in Oxfordshire. There were paintings, mixed media, collage, sculptures and photography works by over 150 artists from more than 30 countries spread across 3 rooms available for visitors to enjoy and purchase at affordable prices. I found the fair quite busy, considering it was the last day of the fair. Visitors came from the local area and further afield from Malaysia and London to name a few.
African Inspired Art
As I made my way through the centre aisle of the main hall, I was stunned and excited, as I saw some African inspired art, which I was not expecting to see. I was attracted by these large works of Massai women created by Kimberley Gundle who was not present at the time. I was greeted by her husband who proceeded to tell me about Kimberley’s unique talent, which was evident in the works on display. I was intrigued and captivated and wanted to know more about her current work which focuses on the Maasai tribe in East Africa. The Maasai tribe described as semi nomad people, who are resilience as the world around them is changing and they continue to preserve their culture.
Kimberley captured the lives of these Massai women in drawings, photography and her mixed media work, which was created using layers of her grandmothers lace and printed on archival paper using an ink jet printer. She also created cameos which are symbolic of colonisations and the Victorian era. I finally met Kimberley and we spoke about her interactions with the Maasai tribe in Kenya and Tanzania with whom she developed a relationship. She donates part of her sales to them and those that inspired her work to help with medical care, water supply and schools. 
Kimberley is a multI-talented artist, who also designs and creates handmade rugs using traditional techniques by a community in India. Each rug produced is unique and alive in vibrant colours or customised to meet individual tastes. Kimberley’s work has been recognised by the art world and was invited to participate in the 2013 Venice Biennale and will also be taking part in this year’s Venice Biennale as well. Kimberley was born in South Africa, graduated from The Michaelis school of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. She completed a Post Graduate degree at The Slade School of Fine Art in London. She lives and works in London.
The 2nd African inspired art that caught my attention was in the Assembly room. As I approached the artist’s stand, she had an audience that were appreciating her works. I observed the attention to detail, the colour tones and the subjects excellently depicted in her paintings. To me, her works were a factual representation of the great African continent.
As the audience departed all looking satisfied, I had Sabine’s full attention and asked where she studied art. She informed me that she was primarily self-taught and only went on short courses to learn how to use oil paints, which she used to create these amazing portraits. She felt she had to share these great creations with the world.
On further discussions she informed me that using pastels was her favourite media, which she used to create these great works of art below.
Photo Credit: Sabine Barber
Sabine Barber is a German South African artist who specialises in portrait, animals and landscape. She currently lives and works in Oxfordshire.
Portrait
Staying with the portrait theme, as a walked by Rajasekharan Parameswaran’s works, there was a large crowd admiring his talent. Using celebrities and the queen as his chosen subjects definitely got a lot of attention at the fair. That aside, I could not help myself as a drew closer and closer to observe the impeccable works on display. The attention to detail in the facial expressions, the creases and lines on the faces, the hair strands, body language and clothing made the portraits life like and almost photographic.
I am not a big fan of portrait work, but I give credit to where credit is due for this skilled artist. I found his works fascinating and compelling to look at. This work below, titled Flower people is one of my favourites. I love the way the reflection of the little girl is captured in the window of the car. And the way the girl is digesting her own reflection with an inquisitive expression. I am drawn into the painting and I am thinking about the thought that might be running through the girl’s mind. 
Euphoria below is another piece of work I like, I love the way the artist captures the velocity of the rain, the different splashes and impact of the rain on the girl’s hair and clothes. Her facial expression that of sheer joy. 
I would have expected this artist to at least to have been be nominated for one of the awards at the fair or even won, but I am not aware of the full criteria used in the selection and judging process. Rajasekharan is a self-taught artist with a mathematical background and is a Guinness world record holder of the Largest Easel. He was born in India and has a gallery based in Malaysia.
Photography
There was limited photography at the fair, but the provocative imagery in the works of Milly Anne Vinogradoff was enough to capture the attention of any of the visitors’ in search of photography or anyone looking for something different in general. 
Using photography, Milly questions the role of women and explores the notion of women being the bearer of peace.
This calls to question the definition of peace; to Milly peace means balance in this constant world of juggling and multi-tasking. To me, peace means stillness and living in the present.
I found Milly’s work to be thought provoking, as the imagery used is somewhat contradictory to the question poised based on societal standards and needs an open mind to digest the complex issues and multi-faceted roles women play in our society today. 
Milly photographed her subjects in a real gentlemen’s club, during a real live performance at the Secret Square in Paris. Looking at the images I could almost feel the ambience of the environment. 
Milly was born into a family of performers and grew up backstage in Parisian cabaret. She is a trained Dancer. She constantly photographed her friends in the dancing industry and decided to pursue her artistic interest academically. She graduated from the Central Saint Martin’s College of Art. She lives and works in London.
Femininity
Continuing with the genre of femininity, another of my highlights at the fair were these paintings by Susan Brooker, a self taught artist. I was drawn to Susan’s works by the main stage close to the live band playing jazz. I was smitten with the depiction of femininity in a rough texture, large brush strokes and vivid contrasting colours. I found her subjects alluring and captivating. They oozed confidence with a level of vulnerability.
Susan Brooker is from Dubai. She would be interested in showing more of her work in the UK as there is limited appreciation in the middle east. Susan aim’s to create visual impact with her work, by constructing and deconstructing figurative and portrait subjects using oil paints and pallet knife. From what I have seen, she is definitely achieving her goal with her works exhibited.
Collage
As I was navigating the space of the assemble room, I noticed in the corner this awesome creation, which turned out to be a collage made out of old Dutch musical notes, books, layered with old photographs and calendar with some shimmering, finished off with a matt varnish. 
I must say, I was drawn to the work, by the female form projected in the collage. I seem to be on a roll with the female body and femininity at this fair. These outstanding works were created by Ellen Van Teijlingen, who uses mixed media in her creations.
Photo Credit: Ellen Van Teijlingen
Ellen lives and works in The Netherlands. She studied at Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor kunsten.
Uniqueness
I found the works of SP Prescott to be one of the most unique and original pieces at the Fair. She creates these abstract 3- dimensional works, using recycled materials from old painting, canvas and other fabrics. She rips them, cuts them and shapes them into these masterpieces of sculptural media. 
I found her art intriguing, there was more to meet the eye. She created these optical illusion paintings by incorporating the cut outs and the use of a black background.
It had to be pointed out to me that there was a cut out in the painting. I thought this was very clever and perfectly done. I would have definitely nominated her for an award at the show.
Movement
Other works I enjoyed was that of Naz Perver Weich. I was drawn to her work as it was illuminated by the rays of the sun as I was getting closer. I wanted to leave, but her painting kept on pulling me in. I was intrigued by the movement and waves in her work. 
Naz explains that her work is commonly described as abstract cubism, which also has an element of realism. Naz Perver Weich is a professional artist and she has had the opportunity to study and successful practice art all her life. She eloquently describes her work in great detail. I couldn’t help but listen attentively , which added to the enjoyment of experiencing her works.
Abstract Art
There was so much abstract art on display, but I was attracted to ‘Run away with Me’, which is symbolised with the bicycle in the painting. I appreciate the splashing, dripping, large brush stroke and contrasting silver colour used to create the silver bicycle. To me Nebahat Karyagdi’s creation is simple and effective. The title of the painting works, it already creates an idea of escapism and imagination to a place of freedom and pleasure.
Nebahat Karyagdi is an art teacher from Istanbul and has recently completed an MA in Art and Design.
Art Brut
I was introduced to Oliver Jeannin’s work by a new friend I met at the fair. I have included the works of Oliver for the art brut factor, which I am a fan of. I appreciate it when people create their way and pursue their passions regardless of industry approval.
Oliver Jeannin is from France and trained to be a medical doctor and still practices. Oliver gets his inspiration from his dreams and embarks on a journey when he starts a creative piece, letting his emotions serve as a guide, rather than having a preconceived concept. Spontaneity is the name of the game for Oliver, which is evident in his works. 
Award Ceremony
I found it very pleasing that an award ceremony was organised by the Global Art Agency, the organisers of the fair. The Award ceremony was held towards the end of the fair on the last day. Visitors were given the opportunity to vote for their top 3 exhibitors, which I thought was a good idea to get visitors opinion in deciding the winner. 
In conjunction with the judges and members of the public below are the 3 winners.
In 3rd place was Yelena York Tonovan from Los Angeles.
Her collection of detailed pen and ink illustrations caught the attention of the judges and the guest and won her 3rd place. 
In 2nd place was Mongolian Art and Culture in London. 
They exhibited a diverse range of works from Mongolian, Swiss and Dutch artist. Below are some of my favourite.
And the winner of the 2015 Global Art Agency Award goes to Alexander Korzer Robinson. 
Alexander won with his 3 dimensional book sculptures. In conversation with Alexander, he described his creative process as extremely detailed and delicate, due to the fragility of some of the book pages used to create his impressive book art. Each time I looked at the pages, I saw something different which was completely fascinating and I wanted to continuously engage with the narrative presented in the cut out pages of the book.
Photo Credit: Alexander Korzer-Robinson
Alexander’s work has been featured on the BBC culture show, Liberty and the V& A to name a few.
Departure
In summary, I had a good time at the fair. The historic architecture of the building, the live band all added to an enjoyable event. The works were aesthetically pleasing and affordable. Some of the works lacked depth and context. I wanted more of that thought provoking element of art, which I found in the photography works of Milly Anne Vinogradoff. On the other hand, perhaps a fair is not the place to make deep connections with the works, subject for another blog post. The award ceremony was definitely a plus and I think more art fairs should adopt this strategy and get visitors involved.
That’s it for now. I hope this blogpost has given you an insight into an experience of the Oxford International Art fair or fairs in general. See you at the next Oxford International Art fair in 2016 at this wonderful historic site. Please share and comment. Did you attend? What was your experience of the fair?
