Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair

The 2015 edition of Olympia International Arts & Antiques Fair will run at the later date of 18 - 28 June. Coinciding with a host of important cultural events in London, this creates a global focus in London for art, antiques and design. The response to the date change has been impressive, resulting in the strongest line-up of exhibitors for some time.

Recently confirmed for this year is a remarkable loan exhibition from American philanthropist collector, Rex Sinquefield. This is the first time that these paintings have been seen outside America. The works are from the great era of austerity, making them newly relevant for a contemporary audience. Part of his collection of works by American painters of the Great Depression 'dust bowl years' are coming to Olympia. The great artists of the American Midwest include Thomas Hart Benton, Joe Jones, Grant Wood, John Rogers Cox, John Atherton, John Steuart Curry and George Joe Mess.

Following on from the success of last year’s talks programme, this year’s speakers are curators from world-leading institutions such as The Victoria and Albert Museum, The British Museum, Ashmolean Museum and Pallant House Gallery. Independent art advisor, Vanessa Curry will be conducting free tours with themes such as: ‘From Picasso to Bauhaus’ and ‘From Egypt to Versailles: how the world influenced Georgian and Victorian furniture design’.

The fair are also delighted to announce that the official charity for this year’s edition will be Starlight Children’s Foundation. All proceeds from the sales of Preview Day tickets on 18th June will be donated to support the ongoing work of this wonderful national charity who entertain over half a million children every year in hospitals and hospices in the UK, as well as granting wishes to seriously and terminally ill children. Celebrated artist Paul Brown, whose work has been collected by Eric Clapton and The Duke of Richmond, has donated his painting ‘By the Garden Bench’ for a special prize draw at Olympia in aid of Starlight.