STATEMENT ABOUT FOCUS ART FAIR 2025
Admission:Following a successful Focus Art Fair in 2024, the Gallery agreed to hire spaces to the organisers of Focus Art Fair for a 2025 edition of the fair. This had been due to take place from 16-19 October 2025.
Saatchi Gallery made space in its schedule and planned for the fair to take place on these dates, contingent on the payment of a hire fee by the organiser of the fair. Regrettably, the organiser of the fair has failed to meet its obligations regarding the payment of the hire fee.
Since August, the Gallery has received a number of pledges and promises from the organiser of the fair that the fee would be settled in full. These pledges and promises have not been honoured. The Gallery has sought to show as much patience and flexibility as possible to enable the organiser to fulfil its obligations. However, with only 10 days to go until the fair is due to open the Gallery had to act.
The Gallery cannot permit an event to proceed when a fee remains unpaid. The Gallery also wishes to provide clarity for exhibitors and suppliers before they travel to London for the fair. To delay any longer would deny some of those third parties opportunities to possibly cancel travel and accommodation arrangements. The Gallery was not prepared to countenance a scenario where access to the spaces was denied to the organiser, as would be the right of the Gallery, but exhibitors and suppliers had already travelled to London.
The Gallery has terminated its agreement with the organiser of Focus Art Fair. The fair will not be taking place within the spaces of the Gallery. All exhibitors are advised to seek redress from the organiser of the art fair, with whom they should have a contract. Similarly, we advise all suppliers to Focus Art Fair to address any concerns with the organiser of the fair directly.
The Gallery is disappointed that that this action has proved necessary. The responsibility for the situation lies entirely with the organiser of Focus Art Fair.