Where to buy affordable art in Sydney and Melbourne this winter

Hands up if you’ve ever dreamt of collecting art but feel intimated by the aspirational price tags. We feel you, and so do the good people at the Affordable Art Fair, which is returning to Sydney and Melbourne in 2023.

More than 20 years after the first Affordable Art Fair took place in London, it’s stronger than ever, held annually in 10 cities around the world. The fair’s mission? To give everyone the opportunity to purchase contemporary original art, whether new to art collecting or a seasoned admirer.

“After the swell of support for our Sydney and Melbourne Fairs last year, we are delighted to bring Affordable Art Fair back to Australia… We have been overwhelmed by expressions of interest from galleries across the country,” says Australian Fair Director, Stephanie Kelly Gordine. “Our visitors asked for more art and we are delivering! From Orange to Toowoomba, Surry Hills and Fitzroy, we have hand-selected an exceptional collection, with thousands of new artworks looking for happy homes.” 

In Sydney on 15-18 June, and Melbourne on 31 August to 3 September, art lovers can peruse thousands of works priced under $10,000 while supporting emerging and established local artists. All you need is a ticket, a healthy appreciation for visual art and a spare wall (or three).

Meet 5 of the top emerging female artists at the Affordable Art Fair

The fair is a springboard for many rising stars, such as these talented women.

Lena Baumgartner

Lena is an Adelaide-based yoga instructor turned abstract colourist who explores the concept of messy art. After having her first child in 2016, Lena pivoted away from her “black, white and occasionally navy” career in the aviation industry and started to focus on visual art and creativity. Lena is so prolific and well-regarded that her art has even been made into a puzzle (true story!). 

Natashia Bevilacqua 

With a background in graphic design, Natashia looks at the big picture as well as the finer details. Her abstract floral paintings explore themes of identity and transformation and clearly reflect her love of colour. Last year, Natashia was named a finalist in the Jumbled Art Competition and is definitely one artist to watch.

Renee Broders

Drawing from the Pop Art movement, the distorted style of Salvador Dali and other influences, Renee creates vibrant mixed-media collages that challenge notions of beauty and femininity. Renee was named a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize for her portrait of Jack Charles, and will be exhibiting a series of works with Studio Gallery at the Affordable Art Fair in Sydney.

Dai Li 

Dai’s artworks include ink drawings inspired by traditional Chinese art and contemporary pop culture, as well as quirky ceramics. Inspired by everyday life and human emotion, Dai hopes viewers relate to her work and reflect on their own experiences. Since arriving in Australia from China in 2009, Dai’s work has been featured in many exhibitions, and has been bought by private collectors all over the world.   

Anne Nunn 

As a contemporary Indigenous artist and Nyungul woman, Anne depicts traditional stories in her artwork, often focusing on the kunjuri (shield) and animal life. Anne started watching her grandfather paint when she was 12 years old. “He taught me a lot about my culture,” Anne says. She will be exhibiting with Aboriginal Contemporary at the Sydney Fair.

Tyler Dan 

Globetrotter Tyler was raised in Southern California, calls coastal New South Wales home and is living in France for a year. So, it’s little wonder her vibrant and organic abstract landscapes and cityscapes capture the energy of a place and time. While Tyler’s inspired by architecture and the natural environment, she also gleans inspo from the little things — such as her six-year-old son’s painting.

Affordable Art Fair: dates, locations and tickets

Win tickets to the Affordable Art Fair!

Home Beautiful is giving you and three friends the opportunity to attend the Affordable Art Fair in Sydney or Melbourne to explore new and exciting artworks from established and emerging artists. To enter, simply answer in 25 words or less: “What excites you about contemporary art?”. Click here to enter.

Writer Hanna Marton

Journalist Hanna Marton has contributed to Australia’s top magazines, including Australian House & Garden, Home Beautiful, Country Style, Body & Soul, marie claire, Vogue and Harper's BAZAAR. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) in Adelaide about a hundred years ago, Hanna worked on staff at Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazines, and later as a digital content producer at Healthdirect Australia followed by Homes To Love. Hanna has renovated two heritage houses (and a little Airbnb) in Sydney’s Inner West, where she lives with her husband, kids and dog. When she’s not writing about homes, health, people and places, you’ll find her on the tennis court or in the hammock with an autobiography.