What to expect for this year’s Spring edition of the Affordable Art Fair

SINGAPORE – Back for a second time, this year’s instalment of the annual Affordable Art Fair (AAF) Spring edition, which runs from April 17 to 19, will feature several interesting highlights, say organisers.

Firstly, it will feature a record number of new galleries – 30 of them, from a current total of more than 70 galleries that will show at the fair - featuring several artists making their debut at the fair. Then there is the Artist In Residence programme, a new initiative that will feature two artists and give you a glimpse into their daily lives and how they work. This year’s AAF will also see the launch of a new “party night”, called AAFter Glow, which will include performances, music and colourful treats that organisers say will “leave you feeling all-aglow”.

To mark Singapore’s golden jubilee, they will be a showcase of contemporary artworks, called the SG50 Feature Wall. It will have specially commissioned works by 50 artists from all over the world, which are priced at S$500. Half of the proceeds from the sale of these artworks will be donated to Playeum, the fair’s appointed fundraising partner.

You can also attend demonstrations to see how art is made – or even have a go at it yourself. Children, for example, can get involved in an interactive session at the Children’s Art Studio run by Playeum and the Stamford American International School. What they create will be used as part of a 3D art installation that will grow throughout the fair.

This is all part of the efforts to provide “fresh, new thinking and a strong line-up of new artists,” said Alan Koh, the new fair director for the Spring edition, adding that a key function of the AAF is to educate the public about the art scene in Singapore.

“It is distinctly different from our November fair, (it’s) smaller, more intimate and with some exciting new concepts,” he added.

The Affordable Art Fair runs from April 17 to 19, at the F1 Pit Building. Tickets from S$12 from http://www.affordableartfair.com/Singapore.