Floating Masterpieces take to the water

Mischeif PR and the Affordable Art fAIR Installed a floating gallery at one of London’s favourite swimming spots on Tuesday, as early morning swimmers sought a more culturally enhancing dip. Eight pieces of art were previewed to swimmers as over 10,000 pieces are prepared to be hung at the Hampstead art fair.

The Affordable Art Fair – whose next fair takes place on Hampstead Heath this week – installed the gallery to give the public an insight into the eclectic range of art on offer to visitors this week. The mixed pond, which was the location for the floating art gallery, attracts hundreds of swimmers every day although this is the first time art has been exhibited on the water.

Amongst the artworks admired by the morning swimmers was ‘The Big Square Round Corner’ by Yorkshire born Heath Hearn, ‘Daydream’ by Joe Webb, whose work is usually found in the likes of the Saatchi Gallery rather than on water, and ‘Sleep Me A Dream’ by Kathleen Wilke which depicts a woman underwater. The Hampstead Ponds were originally dug in the 17th century and used as a reservoir before becoming a destination for swimmers in approximately 1860. Since then the ponds have continued to thrive, with enthusiasts braving the changeable British weather at all times of year to join the ducks and swans in the water.

Romy Westwood, Fair Director at Affordable Art Fair Hampstead, said:

“The essence of the Affordable Art Fair is to make art more accessible and to put a fun, welcoming slant on what can sometimes be seen as an elitist industry. Seeing the smiles on the swimmers faces this morning was a great example of the transformative power of art. It was also refreshing to see so many swimmers practicing their treading water techniques as they viewed and explored the floating gallery whilst out on the water.”