Seven Cheshire artists and galleries have been chosen to exhibit at this year’s Manchester Art Fair (November 15-17) following a rigorous selection process.

It’s a noteworthy achievement for the artists who hail from Knutsford, Crewe, Chester, Macclesfield, Bramhall and Malpas with over 1,000 applications received for this year’s acclaimed event, the highest on record.

Artists & Galleries Selected to Exhibit at This Year’s Manchester Art Fair: 

• Sabina Swan Art - Knutsford                                                             
• Geoff Beckett - Malpas
• Paul Dunkerley - Crewe
• Lee Herring - Chester
• Louisa Boyd - Chester
• Gareth Tristan Evans - Macclesfield
• Cheshire Art Gallery - Bramhall

They will join over 170 UK and international individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces at the fair, one of the largest and most significant in the UK, each showing the works of some of the world’s most exciting up-and-coming and celebrated artists.  Featured names include Tracey Emin, Pablo Picasso, LS Lowry, and Henri Matisse.

Lee Herring, a contemporary artist based in Chester is one of the seven artists and galleries from Cheshire selected to exhibit at this year’s Manchester Art Fair.  Born with an artistic streak, after excelling in art throughout his early education he went on to study Fine Art at the University of Chester.  Here he developed his unique painting style, earning him a First Class Honours and the coveted University prize.  He now exhibits all over the world with his sell-out shows attracting the attention of loyal collectors, investors, and reputable galleries.

Speaking on his selection for this year’s Manchester Art Fair, Herring said: “I’m delighted to be returning to Manchester Art Fair, one of the UK’s largest and most respected art fairs.  It’s an incredible platform for emerging and established artists and to be selected to show for the eighth time is an honour.  I’m looking forward to showing my latest work which uses sprays, markers and acrylic paints to create contemporary, abstract, paintings with bold colours and textures.

Also celebrating and returning to the fair for his second year is Macclesfield based artist Gareth Tristan Evans (aka The Trunk of Funk), an emerging mixed media artist whose work has become increasingly popular amongst contemporary art collectors in the UK and internationally.  Born in Singapore and brought up in a remote Welsh Valley, his work is largely influenced by childhood memories, vintage textiles, and street art.  As well as presenting popular classics, Evans will also show exciting bespoke pieces created specifically for Manchester Art Fair.

Joining Herring and Evans and representing the region’s incredible mix of art galleries is Cheshire Art Gallery.  Located on Ack East Lane, Bramhall, Cheshire Art Gallery strives to bring collectors and art enthusiasts quality works from some of the UK’s most exciting artists including Geoffrey Key, Iryna Yermolova, Hester Berry and Malcom Taylor. 

Leading this year’s exhibition at Manchester Art Fair will be the exclusive unveiling of international figurative artist Mark Demsteader’s highly anticipated book, Moorland.  Produced by Cheshire Art Gallery and written by Nick Brown OBE, this beautiful 180-page book provides a rare insight into the acclaimed artist’s unconventional journey from Manchester butcher to best-selling artist, featuring exclusive interviews with Demsteader and photography of his incredible work.  An exclusive talk with the artist on Saturday 16th (14:15 – 15:00) will provide visitors with the rare opportunity to hear from Demsteader in person.  A book signing will take place on the same date from 12:00 – 14:15.

Speaking of her pride to be returning to this year’s Manchester Art Fair, Cheshire Art Gallery Director, Ella Pemberton, said: “We’re delighted to show at this year’s Manchester Art Fair.  It’s an incredible platform for artists and galleries such as Cheshire Art Gallery, extending our reach to new and exciting audiences.” 

Adding on the unveiling of Demsteader’s inaugural book, Moorland, she added: “It is with great pride that we look forward to unveiling Mark’s book, Moorland, at Manchester Art Fair.  It has been an absolute joy to produce and to work with Nick and Mark to provide this rare insight into his work.  How Mark achieves what the old masters used to has always been a closely guarded secret.  Followers of his work will not want to miss this rare opportunity to hear him speak and meet him at the book signing.”   

Managing Director at Manchester Art Fair, Sophie Helm, added: "The quality and number of applications received for this year’s fair was extremely high, making for an exceptionally difficult selection process.  To see seven galleries and artists chosen from Cheshire is testament to the incredible breadth and quality of creative talent in the region. We look forward to welcoming all to this year’s Manchester Art Fair.”

The North’s largest and most significant art fair, Manchester Art Fair has welcomed over 110,000 visitors since its inception in 2008, amassing over £7m in art sales.  Showing a uniquely diverse mix of acclaimed galleries and independent artists, with a rich programme of artist talks, panel discussions, performances, and installations, it blurs the boundaries between the traditional and the contemporary, creating a friendly and unpretentious Northern art-buying experience.

Sitting alongside Manchester Art Fair is The Manchester Contemporary, a collegiate platform for young galleries, artist-led spaces, charitable organisations, and partner institutions providing a critically engaged environment for artistic exploration and development.

Tickets are available now at manchesterartfair.co.uk and priced from £12 for a weekend ticket or £25 for the preview night.  Tickets include access to a rich programme of artist talks, panel discussions, performances, and installations.