AFFORDABLE ART FAIR WITH THAT HAPPY FACTOR

What a pleasure to wander through the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park after visiting the execrable displays competing for the Turner Prize, earlier in the week. Currently showing until 24th October, the AAF covers what most people define as ‘real art’ - painting, sculpting, print-making and photography.

More than 100 galleries are gathered together under one roof where you can stroll in a simple, well-lit and relaxed environment. Absent is the snobbishness often pervading West End galleries. Here you can chat to the artist about his or her work. There are also hands-on workshops covering everything from print-making, drawing and sculpture to abstract painting.

At previous fairs, I've felt that abstract painting was not well represented so it is good to see it catching up to the ‘farmyard art’ so popular with many British artists. There are still plenty of horses, cows and colourful gardens, but the ratio is now roughly 50-50 with many highly original displays to ponder over.

It is probably invidious to select anything from the level playing field, but I especially liked Trevor Price’s flesh-toned octopus-like couples, Susan Foord’s luminous abstracts and the innovative collages combining nature and antique curiosities called 'Still Remains' exhibited by the Columbia Road Gallery on Stand K8.

The Affordable Art Fair leaves you with that ‘feel good’ factor. And who knows you may even find that statement piece for your flat. Works are priced between £50 and £3000, the exhibition is open from 11am-6pm. Ticket prices from £10-20, children under 16 are free.

AAFs are also held in Amsterdam, New York, Brussels, Sydney and Melbourne with a Singapore launch in November and Milan in February 2011.

www.trevorprice.co.uk

www.affordableartfair.com

MAHARAJA EXHIBITION EXPLORES A GLITTERING LIFESTYLE

Maharaja - The Splendour of India`s Royal Courts - at the V&A Museum in London, is one of the most exciting exhibitions ever mounted in UK. The word `maharaja` literally Great King, sums up the magnificence of the display which runs until 17th January 2010.

Covering the period from the collapse of the Mughal Empire in 18th century to the end of British rule in 1947, the exhibition examines the changing role of the maharajas in an historic and social context, and looks at how their patronage of the arts resulted in splendid commissions, designed to enhance their status.

Among priceless items are three thrones, a silver gilt howdah, gem-encrusted weapons, court paintings, turban jewellery and textiles from collections in the former princely states of Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Gwalior, Baroda, Mysore, Patiala, Bahawalpur and others.

The Queen has also loaned dazzling gifts such as the gold sword and scabbard encrusted with emeralds and diamonds, presented to the Prince of Wales by the Maharaja of Kashmir, in 1864. A gold durbar set, for offering paan, a gift from the state of Mysore in 1875, is also on loan courtesy of Her Majesty.

The exhibition unfolds with a simulated royal procession of a life-size elephant adorned with jewellery and surmounted with a silver howdah. An early movie, whose soundtrack features drumming and the screams of the processing elephants, indicates the pomp and ceremony of such an event.

The initial displays explore the role of the maharaja as military and political ruler and artistic patron. Symbols of kingship include a gaddi (throne) from Udaipur, elaborate turban jewels, ceremonial swords and a gold ankus (elephant goad) set with diamonds.

There is a palanquin from the court of Jodhpur used to carry the Maharaja’s wife and women`s dumbells, inlaid with ivory, indicate the activities of the zenana. A chaupar set with enamel dice, inlaid with diamonds and played on a cloth sewn with emeralds, rubies and pearls, is evidence of how leisure hours were spent.

Other dazzling items are the golden throne of Ranjit Singh,`The Lion of Punjab` crowned Maharaja in 1801, and his belt, studded with pearls, diamonds and emeralds the size of Ferrer Rocher chocolates.

The exhibition ultimately looks at the period of the Raj, explored through large-scale paintings such as the Imperial Assemblage - 7.2 metres in length - and rare archival film footage of the royal durbars, including the Coronation Durbar of 1911, attended by George V and Queen Mary.

The final section, explores European influence on the Maharajas where the bejewelled elephant, carrying a dancing girl on its tusks, is usurped by a Rolls Royce Phantom commissioned in 1927 by the flamboyant Maharana Bhopal Singh of Mewar.

www.vam.ac.uk/maharaja