One of the best spots to buy art is arguably at the Affordable Art Fair. The annual event brings together thousands of brand-new artworks from more than 60 of Australia’s best boutique galleries, with price points ranging from $100 to $1000.
The Fair is all about ‘demystifying’ the traditional art buying experience with transparent pricing, giving visitors the chance to meet and greet artists and gallerists in person — and its fourth instalment here in kicks off inside Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building on August 29 – September 1.
To give you a taste of what will be on show, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite artists and their respective galleries from the fair’s line-up below!
A Tropical Life by Stephen Inglis, 2024, Oil on canvas, 122cm x 91cm $3500
STEPHEN INGLIS
Represented by Lethbridge Gallery
Stephen Inglis creates nostalgic paintings of Australia’s landscapes and architecture, with a special focus on Queensland. From mid-century-inspired architecture, bungalows, and urban scenes of the Gold Coast to the wide streetscapes of Rockhampton, his pastel-toned artworks are imbued with a dream-like quality.
Horizon18 by Nathalie Dumont, 2024, cotton on timber board, $470
Horizon16 by Nathalie Dumont, 2024, Cotton on timber board, 20x20cm, $470
Field of dreams by Nathalie Dumont, 2024, cotton on timber board, $4000
L: It Does not Stall, Nor Does it Rest by Luis Mujica, 2023, Acrylic on Linen, $5800
R: I Saw You Today For The First Time by Luis Mujica, 2023, Acrylic on Linen, 60x120cm, $2850
LUIS MUJICA + NATHALIE DUMONT
Represented by G550
Originally from Venezuela, Luis Mujica’s patterned artworks are like hand-painted optical illusions that immediately capture your attention. And each one is filled with a deeper meaning.
In contrast, Melbourne-based artist Nathalie Dumont’s colourful works look like paintings at a glance, but they are actually made up of thousands of threads, hand-wrapped around a canvas! It takes her several days to complete a piece, and the final product is totally enchanting.
Steam Packet Hotel Williamstown by Marian Quigley, 2024, Acrylic on linen, 76 x 76 cms, $1,400
MARIAN QUIGLEY
Represented by Sol Gallery
Former art teacher Marian Quigley rediscovered her love of painting in her retirement and has been exhibiting work since 2009. Using strong colour contrasts, her acrylic paintings combine influences from the Post Impressionists; the simplicity of Japanese woodcuts; and the organic flowing line of Art Nouveau in her depictions of nature and Melbourne’s urban landmarks.
L: mid century by Joe Blundell, 2024, oil on canvas, 55cm X 56cm, $2500
R: shadows on gates by Joe Blundell, 2024, oil on canvas, 55cm X 56cm, $2500
JOE BLUNDELL
Represented by Greenbridge Gallery
Joe Blundell is a self-taught landscape artist based in Melbourne who also has a degree in plant biology. His intimate paintings are all about capturing nature’s beauty with detailed brushstrokes — sometimes looking at a landscape itself or how it interacts with our man-made structures, depicting charming Victorian cottages and local streetscapes.
LOCHPARTTHREE by Lauren Tausend, Textile in frame
Mind Map by Lauren Tausend
LAUREN TAUSEND
Represented by M.A.C. Studio
Craft and knitting play a huge part in local artist Lauren Tausend’s connection to family, which she says is the inspiration for her textile creations. She takes a playful and organic approach to artmaking, and we love the woven texture and handcrafted finish of her pieces.
Khaki Morning by Megan Grant, 2021, AcrylicOnCanvas, 60x40cm, $1400
Patchwork Jungle by Megan Grant, 2021, AcrylicOnCanvas, 60x40cm, $1400
L: Fade Into You by Carly Williams, 2024, 123cmx104cm, AcrylicOnCanvas, Framed In Oak, $4000.00
C: Rocky Island Series Vase by JuyeonKim, StonewareCeramic, 32x21x22cm, $1300
R: Saekdong Series Vase by Juyeon Kim, Stoneware, $580
MEGAN GRANT, CARLY WILLIAMS + JUYEON KIM
Represented by Grant+Williams
Based in Melbourne’s west, Megan Grant’s work is instantly recognisable from her gestural brushstrokes and vivid layers of colour. She’s an expressive painter, illustrator and visual artist, who’s even worked on big-name projects, including two fashion collaborations with Gorman!
Plus, keep an eye out for the detailed abstract works of Daylesford artist Carly Williams, and Juyeon Kim. The South Korean-born, Melbourne-based ceramic artist uses traditional and contemporary techniques to create her one-of-a-kind pieces!
Warlukurlangu Jukurrpa (Fire country Dreaming) by Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson, 122x91cm, $2060
Warlukurlangu Jukurrpa (Fire country Dreaming) by Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson, 183x122cm, $3750
L: Yankirri Jukurrpa (Emu Dreaming) – Ngarlikirlangu by Michael Jangala Gallagher, 91x61cm, $775
C: Wirnpa Jukurrpa (Lightning Dreaming) by Sabrina Nungarrayi Gibson, 183x122cm, $3760
R: Pikilyi Jukurrpa (Vaughan Springs Dreaming) by Valerie Napanangka Marshall, 152x107cm, $2710
L: Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) – Puyurru by Sharoline Nampijinpa Frank, 76x61cm, $670
R: Tingari Cycle by Walter Jangala Brown, 107x107cm, $2695
SHAROLINE NAMPIJINPA FRANK, WALTER JANGALA BROWN, MICHAEL JANGALA GALLAGHER, SABRINA NUNGARRAYI GIBSON, VALERIE NAPANANGKA MARSHALL, VANETTA NAMPIJINPA HUDSON
Represented by Warlukurlangu Artists
Warlukurlangu Artists is one of the oldest and most successful Aboriginal-owned art centres in Central Australia. They represent more than 600 members from the remote communities of Yuendumu and Nyirripi, including talented artists like Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson, Sharoline Nampijinpa Frank and Michael Jangala Gallagher — whose work has been exhibited here in Australia and in France.
Each of the artists has their distinctive style, but many are united by their focus on their families’ dreaming stories, as showcased in Valerie Napanangka Marshall’s contemporary paintings. For others, art-making is in their blood, with Walter Jangala Brown and Sabrina Nangala Robertson both following in their artist parent’s footsteps!
At Rest by Alice Laura Palmer, Oil on Canvas , 66 x 40 cm, $1030
Seeds by Alice Laura Palmer, 30 x 40 cm, Oil on Linen, $980
Peach, Vessels by Alice Laura Palmer, Oil on Panel, 67 x 31 cm, $880
Off the Vine by Sally Ryan, Oil on Board, 35 x 35cm, framed, $2000
Vitamin C by Sally Ryan, Oil on Board, 35 x 35cm, framed, $2000
Vessels by Sally Ryan, 60 x 75 cm, framed, Oil on Board, $5000
ALICE LAURA PALMER + SALLY RYAN
Represented by P3 Collective
Having studied at the Florence Academy of Art, Alice Laura Palmer merges her classical training with contemporary lines to create beautiful (and incredibly realistic) still-life paintings. Melbourne artist Sally Ryan‘s work will also be on show at the Fair. And while her portraits have been shortlisted in the iconic Archibald Prize, we have our eye on Sally’s striking still-life scenes.
L: Cantaloupe by Llael McDonald, 2023, oil on canvas, 40x50cm, $1,980
R: Broken Eggs by Llael McDonald, 2023, oil on canvas, 50x40cm, $1,980
LLAEL MCDONALD
Represented by Art to Art and Highlands Artist Collective
Llael McDonald’s still life paintings are equal parts moody and nostalgic. Thanks to her expert technique and eye for detail, everyday imagery like a cracked egg or a martini glass becomes a masterpiece, rendered with the same beauty as a Pre-Raphaelite painting.
Sanctuary by Kels O’Sullivan, 2024, Acrylic on panel, 54 x 64cm, $1795
Sturt Desert Pea by Nicola Woodcock, 2024, Oil pastel on timber framed in Tasmanian oak, 63 x 63cm_$1990
KELS O’SULLIVAN + NICOLA WOODCOCK
Represented by Outré Gallery
Kels O’Sullivan is an emerging artist with a background in design and illustration. There’s something modernist about her graphic fine art paintings, and she cites the coastal surrounds of her hometown in Victor Harbor, South Australia as a key source of inspiration. Meanwhile, Sydney-based artist Nicola Woodcock is one to watch for her vivid oil pastel paintings of Australia’s native flora.
Bushland Series no.2 by Helena Jackson Lloyd, 2024, Acrylic on linen, 30x30cm, $590
Bushland Series no.6 by Helena Jackson Lloyd, 2024, Acrylic on linen, 30x30cm, $590
HELENA JACKSON-LLOYD
Represented by Revival Art & Deign Gallery
Working from the Sunshine Coast, Helena Jackson-Lloyd initially paints outdoors on location (what’s known as ‘en plein air’) to create her emotive landscapes. The goal is to translate everything from the movements of the wind, water, and weather patterns into her large-scale paintings, with a special interest in ‘wild’ and unruly-looking settings.
L: The Corridor Projects by James Lyle, Oil on Belgian linen, 31 x 23cm, $800
C: Macquarie River, late afternoon, Bathurst by James Lyle, Oil on canvas, 46 x 46cm, $1200
R: Cygnes Fog Drift 2 by Phillip Edwards, 2024, Watercolour mixed media, 115 x 90cm, framed in natural oak, $4800
Misty by Caroline McIntyre, 2024, acrylic on canvas framed in oak, 120 x 100cm, $3850
Mystery by Caroline McIntyre, 2024, acrylic on canvas framed in oak, 120 x 100cm, $3850
L: Iceland Poppies Bring Instant Delight by Melanie Vugich, 2024, Oil on canvas, 80x100cm, $4550
C: On This Sunny Afternoon We Reminisced by Melanie Vugich, 2024, Oil on canvas, 100×100, $5250
R: Tea Time is a Treasured Ritual by Melanie Vugich, Oil on canvas, 60x60cm, $2650
JAMES LYLE, PHILLIP EDWARDS, CAROLINE MCINTYRE + MELANIE VUGICH
Represented by Sarah Birtles Art + Advice
If you love layered landscapes, you can’t go past the textural oil paintings of NSW artist James Lyle — there’s a reason he’s often described as a ‘painter’s painter’!
Meanwhile, established Victorian artist Phillip Edwards uses his large-scale paintings to map out beautiful journeys through the Australian outdoors, as Caroline Mcintyre offers a more abstract take on a classic landscape, using soft glows of colour.
But if bright and happy colours are more your thing, don’t miss Sydney artist Melanie Vugich’s still-life paintings that are renowned celebrations of everyday beauty.
Brisk by Pepa Martin, 2024, Silk on board, 60cmx76cm, $1876
Rust Sky by Pepa Martin, 2024, Silk on linen board, 110cmx110cm, $3400
PEPA MARTIN
Represented by Shibori
Shibori is an Australian textile and design company based in Sydney founded by Karen Davis and Pepa Martin in 2005. Karen and Pepa worked together with a passion for colour and texture using cloth as their medium to create patterns based on modernised ancient techniques of resist dyeing.
Thoughts of an Omelette by Tania Small, 2024, Oil, 43×53, $1500
TANIA SMALL
Represented by Stevens Street Gallery
Tania Small is an emerging artist who works from her home studio in the Sunshine Coast Hinterlands. Her thoughtful still-life paintings draw inspiration from simple objects found around the home, or in rural settings, alongside antique treasures.
The Affordable Art Fair Melbourne is on from August 29 – September 1. Buy your tickets here.
