NewcastleGateshead Art Fair opening night at the Sage Gateshead - photography by Sam Dibb
The Sage Gateshead was host to the second NewcastleGateshead Art Fair, this year it was an even bigger affair attracting International and National galleries and artists to the North East art scene.
The space was, being the Sage Gateshead, large. Packed to the brim with artwork it was a wise decision to move to the new venue. There were familiar faces from the Newcastle art scene, and some unfamiliar ones from abroad. It was great to view some of the International art, of which Villa Del Arte exhibited a couple of traditional but interesting pieces, and some photography that made me smile.
Amongst the many art stands Evoke’s very own fused glass designers Juo were pleasing the crowds with glass panels designed specially for the occasion. The Cohesion glass stand was pretty much the only offering of the regions glass - an artform underrepresented in the North East at present.
Perhaps I am becoming a cynic at the ripe old age of 26, but I found some of the work at the NewcastleGateshead a little underwhelming. It may be that the managing directors are gearing the event towards the Arts & Crafts market - perhaps the North East is only ready for such “safe” artforms.
The “Contemporary” work as it were showed a little more promise, with a few exciting pieces from Anna Kyriacou, Dave White, Rob & Nick Carter and Hush. This work tended to be surrounded by renditions of Warhol’s “Pop Art” and Banksyesque works which aren’t to my taste (although I’m a fan of the “real” artists), but they seemed to go down well.
NewcastleGateshead Art Fair organisers made a huge effort to increase exposure of the 2008 event so I can’t find fault there, and having been around to help pack up there was an immense amount of work involved. Still some work to be done however, if they are to rival larger established art fairs.
Design Event 2008 is next, I’m hoping for some more fresh, exciting work.
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