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Run and
Jump, by
Alison Bell,
895
Perched in the front of Wills Art Warehouse in
Putney I feel a twinge of excitement that Ive not
previously experienced when visiting an art gallery.
I think its the relaxed vibe and the hordes of easily
accessible artworks and sculptures lling every visible
surface that are getting to me; I feel as though at
any moment I may stumble upon some previously-
undiscovered hidden treasure.
Im here to meet curator Pixie Andrews, who will
guide me through what she describes as the chaos
of the gallery at the present moment. Were in the
middle of reorganising, setting up new exhibitions
and recovering from recent shows in Battersea, Hong
Kong and Toronto, she explains. Fancy.
I soon learn that Pixie has always wanted to
be a curator. I studied ne-art sculpture, but I
never wanted to be an artist, only a curator, she
acknowledges. I crossed paths with Will [Ramsay,
who founded the gallery in 1996] just as he was
getting started and, became his gallery assistant. Six
years ago, as the business grew, and his Affordable
Art Fair started to become more international, he
handed over the reins to me, and Ive been the
curator here ever since.
Being the gallery manager brings with it a lot
more than just arranging the wall decorations. I
put a lot of time into nding the perfect artists to
exhibit, Pixie tells me. Its all about getting the
right t, because here we like to focus on how things
are made, on the history of the piece and the artist,
rather than making a sale. Its about having fun with
the art and nding innovative ways to attract people
inside. Thats why this year I picked musical songs as
the theme for each exhibition; weve had The Bare
Necessities and A Few of My Favourite Things it helps
group the artists together into a cohesive show. Pixie
seems a little hesitant to admit shes been guided by
the hand of Disney, but Im (not-so) secretly thrilled
that someone else shares my passion for a little good
THE
CURATOR
Pixie Andrews talks
international shows,
creative curating and
how this year, shes
been inspired by
songs from musicals
old-fashioned cheesy sing-a-long.
The focus on keeping things light-hearted is part
of what makes this gallery special. Were friendly,
affordable and approachable, says Pixie, with a smile.
Everyone is welcome, and we try to stock art to suit
all tastes. What kind of art does she adorn her own
walls with, I ask. Ive got a big collection of original
work by illustrators a few of them exhibit here in
the gallery too, she replies. I like the way they strive
to communicate something through their work, but
also maintain its aesthetic beauty. Ive collected a few
paintings over the years too some of which are now
worth quite a bit of money some of which, arent,
but it doesnt matter to me. Affordable art should be
about what you love, not about the money.
Im convinced. In fact, so much so that Im off to
have a rummage n
Wills Art Warehouse is
open daily 10.30am to
6pm, or by appointment
from 6-8pm, Monday
to Thursday. The next
exhibition, the Summer
Show, runs from 23 July
to 15 September. 180 Lower
Richmond Rd, SW15 1LY,
0208 246 4840
(wills-art.com)
Cartwheeler by Alison Bell, 1950 Dare by Alison Bell, 750
Soda Can screenprint by Patrick Edgeley, 95
Ice Cream Sunday Monday Tuesday by Marie Robinson, 790