Back for its eighth year at the spectacular South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Masterpiece has quickly established itself as one of the leading events in London’s summer arts season. Launched in 2010, this still relatively new art fair is unparalleled in its unique fusion of traditional and contemporary, heritage and style. With a diverse range of works on display that span over 3,000 years of art history and showcasing over 150 international galleries, Masterpiece has something to suit all tastes.
This year, for the first time, Masterpiece will be launching Masterpiece Presents - an exhibition space that will transform the fair’s entrance hall into an immersive installation. The new contemporary piece has been created by renowned Chilean artist Iván Navarro and commissioned by the Paul Kasmin Gallery, which is new to the fair this year.
Other notable exhibitors making a debut include Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert, who will contribute to the fair’s strong representation of Modern British Art. Osborne Samuel, Offer Waterman Piano Nobile and Christopher Kingzett will also showcase some of Britain’s world-class contemporary art, including works by Henry Moore, Howard Hodgkin and Barbara Hepworth.
The fair may be strong in modern and contemporary design, but Masterpiece has also dedicated space to more traditional disciplines, such as ceramics, works on paper, manuscripts and books. Rare book dealer, Librairie Camille Sourget, offers a new exhibition this year as the fair continues to expand its expertise into the field of antique literature.
As always, Masterpiece promises to be a top destination for collectors of both antique and contemporary jewellery. World-leading jewellers in attendance include Wallace Chan, Van Cleef & Arpels and Boghossian, whilst antique pieces from Cartier, Boucheron, JAR and Fabergé can be admired in the exhibits of Symbolic & Chase, Verdura, Hancocks and S.J. Phillips.
Alongside the huge selection of art, antiques and jewellery, this year the fair will have its first fashion exhibition. Burberry, the events Preview Day partner, will be showcasing its exhibition The Cape Reimagined. The display is a curated edit of the 78 handmade couture capes that were first introduced on the runway at London Fashion Week earlier this year.
Throughout the duration of the fair there is an extensive events programme that ranges from 30-minute tours with Sotheby’s Institute of Art to three day courses that focus on how to invest in the ever-evolving international art market. There will also be opportunities to attend lectures and panel discussions with world-leading cultural institutions.
The always highly anticipated charity Art Gala, will this year be held in collaboration with Children in Crisis, an organisation that works to rebuild education systems in remote countries and support children who have been effected by conflict. A raffle and silent auction will run throughout the duration of the event and an exclusive invite-only dinner will be held in Le Caprice restaurant. Since launching Masterpiece has raised over £4 million for charitable organisations.
Masterpiece London 2017 takes place from 29 June – 5 July at the Royal Chelsea Hospital. Tickets start at £28, visit masterpiecefair.com.