Review: Art London 2010

Described last year by The Times as "one of the most enjoyable modern art fairs", Art London has always been eclectic and cosmopolitan, combining blue chip historical and contemporary art with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. This year's fair features works by historically significant Modern British artists including LS Lowry, Alan Davie, Ruskin Spear, Graham Sutherland, Vanessa Bell and Ceri Richards, amongst many others. But increasingly our offering is stretching back through to before the First World War, embracing important Edwardian figures like Sir John Lavery and Pre-Raphaelites such as Sir Edward Burne-Jones.

On the international side, notable artists on display include Picasso, Lucio Fontana, Giorgio Morandi and Camille Pissarro, to name but a few. This year there is an especially strong representation of artists from the Far East, including China, India, Vietnam and Australia.

Art London has always encouraged exhibiting galleries to consider mounting solo or "themed" shows of contemporary artists, not only because it exposes a larger body of work to a wider than usual audience, but because it minimises a common problem at art fairs, namely visitors experiencing sensory overload. This year seven galleries have taken up the challenge.

My colleagues and I extend a warm welcome to four official charity partners, all of them with stands at the fair: ACE Africa UK, which helps children suffering from HIV and AIDS in East Africa (stand 62); the Almeida Theatre (71); the Amber Foundation (73) which supports disadvantaged youths at its residential centres in England; and the British Heart Foundation (41). All four charities are benefiting directly from the sale of artwork on their stands.