Daniel Raphael: New Gallery Opens on Church Street

The Daniel Raphael Art Gallery is a new addition to the Church Street family at No. 26 across the road from Alfies. The gallery opened last week, Friday 10 March, with their launch exhibition featuring works from six contemporary artists.

Daniel is the youngest trader on Church Street, having recently graduated from the University of Bristol with a view to pursuing a dream in the art world. One of the main aims of the gallery space, is to provide a platform for interactive, thought provoking and original exhibitions. The space will display both the works of well-established  and emerging artists, helping new artists establish themselves in the art world.

The location at number 26 is also comprised of several studio spaces, which are available to rent on a monthly basis - the gallery boasts WiFi and an outdoor garden/patio area, as well as all the usual amenities such as kitchen and bathroom. This combination of studio and gallery space provides artists with the unique opportunity to work and exhibit in the same environment. 

Below are some examples of work you will find on display in the exhibition, all from up and coming artists.

 The Girls, by Audrey Dangoor.

Black Water Reservoir, 2017. By Victoria Young Jamieson.

Hampstead Pond Early Spring. By Simon Hatchard Parr. 50 x 60 inches.

Blackwater Reservoir, by Madeleine Gardiner. 100 x 100cm.

Daniel Raphael Art Gallery
26 Church Street, London, NW8 8EP
www.danielraphael.co.uk

Facebook/Instagram: @danielraphaelart

The London Art Fair

The annual London Art Fair is the UK's largest contemporary art fair, taking place at the Business Design Centre from 18-22 January. This year is the 29th edition of the fair, which is generally being regarded as the event that kicks off the year for the art world.

The fair primarily has a contemporary focus and presents a lot of modern British art along with other works ranging from the early 20th Century through to the present day. Around 125 galleries showcase within the main fair, and in addition there are also curated sections focusing on younger galleries, new work and contemporary photography. Tickets to the event can be purchased here.

We have a range of art dealers within Alfies, many of whom have a huge variety of work from many different periods, and whilst there is a lot of traditional items, there are some beautiful contemporary works on offer too. Here we present some of our favourites.

'Dorset Abstract' by Richard Witham, 2014. Offered by Graham Thomas. 

'Flowers in a Window' by Richard Suddaby, 1940s. Offered by Graham Thomas.

'Snowdonia' by W. Matthew, oil on board, 2014. Offered by Mark Eaton.

'Venice' by Ray Rossepi, oil on board. Offered by Robert McKoy Fine Arts.

Unknown, oil on board, 1950s. Offered by Robert McKoy Fine Arts.

'Blue Geisha' and 'Orange Samurai' by David Harper, 2014. Offered by David Harper.

New Dealer: Henrietta Harper Antiques & Vintage

We are pleased to announce we have another new dealer who has recently joined Alfies: Henrietta Harper.

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

I have always been fascinated and surrounded by beautiful objects. I had also recently been spending a lot of time in auctions and simply couldn't help myself but buy everything and anything that caught my eye, and I quite quickly got to the point where I had more than enough objects to easily fill a little shop. I spent a lot of time researching it all and I knew everything there was to know about the items that I was clogging up my apartment with, and so I decided to move out of working in art galleries and focus all my time and energy on buying and selling the objects that I was truly passionate about, and here I am. 

How did your interest in antiques develop?

I think it's in the blood! My Father has been an antique dealer all my life and my childhood was spent crammed into the back of estate cars with all his antiques, paintings, and anything he could physically fit in the car. As I got older I actually started to appreciate the things he filled the house with and gradually spent more and more time learning about his pieces with him. When I eventually left school, I went straight into the business instead of University and just never left. 

Contemporary jug vase, offered by Henrietta Harper Antiques & Vintage

Contemporary ribbed vase, offered by Henrietta Harper Antiques & Vintage

What is the most interesting part of your job? 

Buying! Auctions are just so exciting to me and I get to play with my competitive nature a little. I also get to learn about a fresh, new object every time I buy something, which is what this business is really all about.   

Do you have any personal favourites in your collection?

I think my favourite item I have at the moment is quite a rare 1920s Art Nouveau pewter and green glass vase by Liberty & Co. It was an item that I hadn't spotted on first look at an auction catalogue and it caught my eye at the last minute whilst I was bidding on other things and it turned out to be pretty extraordinary.  

1920s Art Nouveau vase by Liberty & Co, available at Henrietta Harper Antiques & Vintage

If you could own any piece of art from history what would it be?

I would absolutely love to own Joan Miros 'Femme devant la lune' from 1944. It used to hang in the last gallery I worked for and I just became obsessed with it. It is actually my phone screensaver and I just think it's a magical piece of art. 

Joan Miro 'Femme devant la lune'

Do you have a favourite gallery to visit in London?

I really enjoy the quiet little galleries in strange locations where you can spend hours without anyone bothering you. I went to Maureen Paleys peaceful gallery in Bethnal Green recently which is one of my favourite spaces that I've been to but I still think the Royal Academy still has to take the title, especially with its wonderful history and the current summer exhibition.

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

I really love Oriental pieces. Although I have bought and sold a few, I would really like to bring some more into my stock. They have amazing histories, the culture is fascinating and you can mix them beautifully with all sorts of other pieces, of any age.

Henrietta Harper Antiques & Vintage
Stand G100
Tel: 07593178005
Henriettaharper@yahoo.co.uk

The Second Floor in Alfies

Here in Alfies we have four floors of amazing stands filled with unique items. This week's blog focuses on the second floor, where you will find a great mix of unusual collectables ranging from kitsch 50's tea sets from Ian Broughton to beautiful vintage lace from June Victor.

June sells a range of textiles from the 18th Century up until the 1940's, encompassing costume, lace, ribbons and table and bed linen. Her costumes and related accessories are constantly supplied to films and theatre.

Adjacent to June's stand is Nigel Martin, here you can find a wealth of vintage fabric, fixings and trimmings.

Persiflage specialises in similar items; textiles, vintage clothes and accessories. Like June's and Nigel's, this is a real treasure trove of a shop. You can find amazing 1960s dresses alongside drawers full of vintage buttons and trimmings, all reasonably priced.

The Originals have lots of fantastic and unique pieces of jewellery that I could spend hours looking at! Recently I have been admiring their collection from French costume jewellery designer Lea Stein.

Just opposite The Originals you will find East West Antiques. Colin Thompson who runs the stand has a variety of specialisms including Oriental objects and decoratives, illustrated books (including children's books) and collectible toys and related ephemera.

Francesco Bettoni deals in original artwork mainly from the 1970s. His constantly varying stock encompasses many disciplines including sculpture, painting, prints, and photography. All the artworks are signed originals from renowned international artists.

Ian Broughton's shop Manic Attic is crammed full of amazing kitsch finds from 1930's-60's. You can find quirky glasses, lighting record players and household items that will take you back to another
time.

Art and Decorative Design, have a great range of 20th Century decorative objects, with a focus on lighting, furniture and contemporary art. This is an ideal destination for collectors and interior designers alike.

Beverley is a well established antiques dealer who specialises in glass, ceramics, porcelain and English china. There really is something for everyone here, from the pretty tea cups to Clarice Cliff hand painted plates.

Trevor Lewis Vintage Glass & Decorative Objects is a relatively new dealer to the market, but with 15 years experience in the antiques trade under his belt, he has brought a fantastic array of decorative items to Alfies. This ranges from Art Deco vases to kitsch glass objects.

So make a bee line for the Second Floor Gallery and see what treasures you can find!