Right, gather round, gals. If, like me, you spent the better part of last weekend trying to find an activity that doesn’t involve stepping on a stray piece of Lego or wiping sticky fingerprints off the walls, I do have the tip for you.
We packed up the brood and headed to the Affordable Art Fair recently, and honestly? It was an absolute tonic. I’d almost forgotten what fresh air and culture felt like, but this was the perfect hybrid: a dose of sophistication without the stuffiness, and enough space for the kids to gawp at the big colourful paintings without knocking over a priceless vase.
The place was heaving with new artists and joyful canvases – so much colour it practically gave you a vitamin D boost. And the best bit for us London-loving lot? So many of the pieces had our wonderful city written all over them. Think iconic skylines, cheeky tube-inspired prints, and green spaces you’d actually want to hang on your wall. I must have spotted a dozen paintings featuring London scenes – from moody South Bank sunsets to vibrant abstracts of Portobello Road. It was like a love letter to the capital, and it had this mum feeling surprisingly emotional (or maybe that was just the second glass of fizz).
We had a lovely natter with a few of the artists, including the brilliant duo Relton Marine. Christine and Tom have been painting together on the same canvas since 1996, which is frankly longer than most of our marriages have lasted without a row about the bins. Their stuff is joyful, bold, and if they can collaborate that successfully for that long, I want whatever magic they’re sprinkling in that studio.
So, if you’re already itching for your next outing, get these in your diary now, because you do not want to miss the boat:
Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring: 4–8 March 2026
Affordable Art Fair Hampstead: 6–10 May 2026
The Battersea one will see the brilliant Relton Marine creating a full-blown installation (think big, bold, and brilliant), while the Hampstead edition later in May will be putting ceramics front and centre – specifically the delicate porcelain work of Sarah Dodd, which looks so intricate it might just tempt you to hide it from the kids.
Whether you’re looking to actually buy (and with prices starting far lower than you’d think, it’s dangerously tempting) or just want to wander, wonder, and pretend you’re the kind of mum who has an art collection beyond the fridge gallery, this is the one.
If you want to know more, or if you fancy a proper natter with the artists or fair directors (they’re lovely and very interview-friendly), just give me a shout. Always happy to do the legwork if it means another day out staring at pretty things.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
