65 galleries across the world took part in 'Swab' International Art Fair

Barcelona (CNA).- This year, 65 galleries from 22 countries around the world took part in Barcelona's International Contemporary Art Fair, 'Swab'. Over 200 emerging artists presented their artwork from Thursday the 1^st of October to Sunday the 4^th in front of the Magic Fountain in Montjuïc. In addition to the overall programme that involved consolidated galleries, the fair also included new proposals such as “Swab Seed”, curated by David Armengol, which aimed to give voice to a number of contemporary art collections, making the initiation into the art scene easier through the participation of young artists with affordable works. This year also presented the first edition of “Swab Gate”from the FundacióLluís Coromina, which consisted of individual presentations from African and Caribbean artists, searching and following work that represented the emergent art of their countries.

Sculpture, graffiti, photography, design and contemporary art in all its forms filled the Italian Pavillion, in Fira de Barcelona, this weekend. 65 galleries from 22 countries across the world took part in Barcelona's International Contemporary Art Fair, ‘Swab’. Over 200 emerging artists presented their artwork as well and for the first time, the fair focused on continents such as Africa, Asia and Latin-America. An example of the wide range of pieces exhibited was their price; from 23 euros the cheapest to the 320,000 the most expensive, a piece from a Hungarian artist.

“A significant improvement”in participation, quality and representation

Director of 'Swab' Barcelona Joaquin Diez-Cascón acknowledged that the last three editions of Barcelona's International Contemporary Art Fair have seen a “significant improvement in both the participation of people and the quality of the galleries and sales. We are in a positive dynamic that I expect will continue this year” he said. As usual, the contemporary art fair “is open to all artistic disciplines and artists who are starting or at the height of their career” stated Diez-Cascón but added that although “this year there is as much drawing as ever, there is more representation of all disciplines”.

“Swab Thinks”about Africa and the Caribbean

Organised by the 2015 'Swab' curators, “Swab Thinks”, was a new programme this year that revolved around emerging art galleries in conversation with prestigious artists and curators. From Friday to Sunday there were a series of lectures, debates and discussions that brought artists, curators, collectors and cultural critics into dialogue with each other to think about the changes in the contemporary art world and the place that the artistic practice occupies.

The roundtable also gave the opportunity to discuss the conception of the new programme dedicated to art from Africa and the Caribbean within the fair, and the specific way in which each of the galleries participating in the first edition of the programme has dedicated itself to contemporary art produced in Africa: a French gallery dedicated to Congolese art, a Belgian gallery with an international selection of artists, a Parisian gallery dedicated to art from the Caribbean, and a Zimbabwean gallery dedicated to Zimbabwean artists. The discussion also considered the history and the role of painting in contemporary art produced in Africa and by its “diaspora”.