New Dealer: Andy's Antiques & Collectables

This month we welcome Andy Powell to Alfies. Andy has led an illustrious life, in the 1970s he was a radio personality for Radio London and CBS. Soon afterwards he became a photojournalist capturing key international news events in the 1980s, from the wedding of Diana Spencer to the Gulf War, freelancing for top international media organisations.

His true vocation became apparent in the '90s when he focused on what he truly loved - painting. He became a well known artist whose work has been likened to Picasso and Kandinsky. In 1997 he exhibited at the Royal Academy. 

Examples of Andy Powell's art

You will find an eclectic mix of antiques and collectables in his stand. We asked Andy a few questions...

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your company?

I have been an artist, painter, antique collector and dealer for many years. I have been buying, selling, collecting and dealing since I was 7 years old.

How would your describe your stock?

Antique to historical items from 80 years old and collectables to antiquities over 1000 years old.

What is the most highly sought after item you have in at the moment?

Thomas Toft slipwear charger plates and pottery jugs.

Do you have any personal favourites in your collection?

Slipware and first edition books.

First Editions

A display featuring 17th century slipware plus a few Thomas Toft pieces

What piece would you love to find?

Thomas Toft Smoke Your Nose plate.

Do you have a favourite gallery to visit in London?

Have many but Tate Modern & Tate Britain.

What antiques, besides those you already deal in, would you be interested in collecting?

American historical items.

Vintage cameras

A selection of trinkets

A variety of antiquities and vintage items

Pewter mugs and tankards from the 1800s, jugs from the 1700s

Russian doll set circa 1930s

17th century original hand carved novelty stopper with moving figures

Frederick Remmington original Indian head buckle 1880s 

Andy's Antiques & Collectables | Stand G031-32 | Tel: +44 7806 667 950 | Email: artistandypowell@gmail.com

Abstract art in Alfies

Art is a great way to add some of your own personality to an interior. Choosing the right accessories to go with an interior is as important as choosing the colour of the walls.So when looking for a unique work of art for any space, keep in mind that we have some great pieces at Alfies that must be seen. For this blog I am looking specifically at abstract art.

Abstract art uses a visual language of form, colour and line to create a composition which, to a certain degree doesn't represent our own visual references. It indicates a departure from reality, this can be slight, partial or complete. There are a few famous examples of abstract artists. One of the first ones was Kandinsky,(born 1866-1944) he created the first completely abstract work of art, a watercolour without any reference to reality.

Untitled (First Abstract Watercolor). 1910 (1913). Pencil, watercolor and ink on paper.

In Alfies I found some special pieces, this is a great examples of abstract art from Bent Ply,(F40-45)

John Lancaster c.1960's

The picture below comes from Peran Dachinger's Fine Art located on the first floor (F20)

Richard Ott, Mixed media on wood

Another very famous abstract artist is Jackson Pollack. Paul Jackson Pollock was a very influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionism movement. In the process of making his works of art he moved away from figurative representation completly. He used paint pouring as one of his unusual techniques and painted with his canvases laid out on the floor, developing what was called the 'drip' technique, see picture below.

The painting below from Bent Ply, resembles Pollacks chaotic style and would make a very bold statement in any room. The colours are very striking!

Cubism, one of the first abstract styles, began in the early 1900's. The cubists tried to create a new way of seeing things in art, many of their subjects were represented as a combination of geometric shapes. Because of this cubist pictures are often described as looking like pieces of fractured glass. This picture from Peran Dachinger's Fine Art is very cubist in style.

K. Sancto 1963

Oil on board 1940, artist unknown

The above painting is from Dimech (F046-49). The colours are very dark and subtle.

Lastly is my personal favourite, this is only partially abstract as there are some recognisable figures in the painting, but the lines are really fine and delicate contrasting with the childlike scribbles. A really great painting, from Hungarian artist Antonyi, also from Dimech

Art is all about personal taste and choosing the right painting can be a very rewarding experience.