LONDON.- The London Original Print Fair at the Royal Academy of Arts brings together 50 international print specialists in one of London’s favourite boutique art fairs. Leading print publishers, dealers and galleries from three continents bring a wealth of expertise stretching from rare old master print dealers to those working with contemporary artists. This year, LOPF opens a week later than its traditional slot in the London art calendar, running from Thursday 5 May until Sunday 8 May 2016.
The 50 exhibitors in the 2016 LOPF include a strong contingent of international galleries and print publishers. Returning overseas dealers Aspinwall Editions, New York, C.G. Boerner, New York and Dusseldorf, Dreipunkt Edition, Germany; Durham Press USA; Gallery Jin, Tokyo; August Laube Buch- und Kunstantiquariat, Switzerland and Neuhauser Kunstmühle, Austria are joined by newcomers, A & D Martinez and Lelong Editions from Paris, ars, -tis, and Art Editions-Fils, Germany Kunstverket Galleri, Norway and Bernard Jacobson and Lyndsey Ingram from London.
For print publishers LOPF is a platform for new works created in collaboration with contemporary artists working in the medium. Advanced Graphics will be exhibiting new works by Tess Jaray RA, Anthony Frost and Humphrey Ocean RA and other print publishers will unveil newly published editions at the Fair.
LOPF also offers visitors an exclusive chance to learn about the practice of printmaking and what to look for when starting or building a print collection. With up-coming stars on sale alongside work by old master printmakers, the Fair boasts both expertise and a price range to suit all.
New for the 2016 LOPF is the national acquisitions grant The Ecclesiastical Original Print Award sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance. This award of £8,000 is designed to enable a museum or gallery to add to its collection, and hopes to increase the profile of original prints as collectable works of art. National museums and galleries are invited to apply for this grant to be spent on an original print from the Fair. Chaired by the President of the Royal Academy Christopher Le Brun PRA, the judging panel will include art critic Susan Moore, Helen Rosslyn, Director of LOPF and Clare Pardy Fine Art and Heritage Development Director of Ecclesiastical. The winner will be announced on Wednesday 4 May.
LOPF hosts a comprehensive series of Talks and Events giving visitors insights into the work of the print publisher, artists, collectors and dealers.The annual Friday evening talk on 6 May features Michael Craig-Martin in conversation, discussing how he uses the medium of printmaking in conjunction with the rest of his work.
