Guerin Projects presents new oil paintings and drawings inspired by Vaulkhard’s life in Nairobi.
Guerin Projects Founder Marie-Claudine (MC) Llamas will present a solo exhibition of artist James Vaulkhard at the British Art Fair this September. British Art Fair is one of the leading fairs for Modern and Contemporary British Art, and returns to the Saatchi Gallery between 26 to 29 September, 2024.
Highlights of Vaulkhard’s new work that will be exhibited at British Art Fair include a large-scale portrait of a fisherman Vaulkhard has known since his childhood, as well as paintings and drawings of the Kenyan coast and landscape, and an enigmatic painting of a canoeist on Lake Naivasha in Nairobi, all captured in a fauvist, Post-impressionist palette, with a hint of magical realism and influences of Peter Doig and Matisse.
Kenyan-born artist James Vaulkhard had a classical training as a portrait painter at the Charles Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy. His aesthetic roots lie in the realm of classical oil painting but he is perhaps best known for his modern multi-media approach to portraiture, particularly in the medium of collage. His contemporary works seek to address and respond to various issues of the zeitgeist. Vaulkhard blends a traditional artistic foundation with contemporary experimentation, and his artistic practice blends past with present, tradition with innovation, inviting viewers to pause and reflect upon the beauty that permeates both the natural world and the human experience.
The Guerin Projects exhibition at British Art Fair will feature 4 large-scale oil paintings and around 15 chalk pastel drawings, all spotlighting the natural beauty of Nairobi and capturing some enigmatic characters from the local community. For Vaulkhard, the endeavour to capture the ephemeral beauty of the past is not simply an exercise in nostalgia, it is a sophisticated attempt to forge a tangible bridge to the present, encapsulating the transient yet impactful moments that define our existence. Each artwork presented at British Art Fair is a testament to the fleeting nature of time, articulated through a dialogue between colour and form that is both evocative and intellectually stimulating.
Guerin Projects at British Art Fair: James Vaulkhard
Venue: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4RY
Opening Hours
Collectors' Preview, Thursday 26 September, 11am – 9pm
Friday 27 September, 11am – 9pm
Saturday 28 September, 11am – 6pm
Sunday 29 September, 11am – 5pm
General Admission - £19 (early bird), £22 (advance), £25 (Fair week) Concessions available
Tickets: www.britishartfair.co.uk
Further Information: Guerin Projects — British Art Fair
*Image: GOD FIRST BOAT TRIP(37.5 x 55 cm, Soft pastel on paper, 2024