Entertainment · Books & Arts · 5 hrs ago
New London art fair draws crowds but sees few early sales
Fair Play opened in London during Frieze week, when major art events bring collectors and visitors to the city.
The new fair is in One Marylebone, a former church, and features stands run by individual artists rather than galleries.
Seventy artists were selected for the fair, many of them without gallery representation and attending their first art fair.
Fair Play provides the space, while artists handle their own work and pricing; the fair takes 50% of each sale, including VAT.
More than 3,000 people attended the opening night, but most artists spoken to by Friday morning had made no sales.
Some artists reported interest, including enquiries about commissions, and they hoped collectors might return later in the fair.
The inaugural Fair Play art fair drew more than 3,000 people to its opening night during Frieze London week.
Artists reported strong attendance but few early sales, with most of those interviewed saying they had not sold work.
The fair at One Marylebone hosts individual artist stands and takes a 50% cut, including VAT, of sales.
London-based artist Lea Rose Kara sold two sculptures on opening night for £300 and £3,200.
Several artists said they were optimistic about later interest, while Cornwall-based Eleanor Turnbull received enquiries about possible commissions.
- Who
- Fair Play, its exhibiting artists and visitors. The fair was founded by Ryan Stanier.
- What
- The inaugural art fair drew strong attendance but saw few early sales for most artists interviewed.
- When
- During Frieze London week in 2026. The opening night was the night before Friday morning.
- Where
- One Marylebone, London.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fair Play’s private view drew more than 3,000 attendees, and Lea Rose Kara sold two sculptures.
The fair was busy, but most artists interviewed had not made any sales.
- Opening-night attendance
- More than 3,000 people
- Exhibiting artists
- 70
- Fair location
- One Marylebone, London
- Fair sales cut
- 50%, including VAT
- Lea Rose Kara sales
- Two sculptures for £300 and £3,200
1 source
What people are saying
It was the best opening night I’ve ever hosted
Our ethos is to buy the piece and walk out the door with it