‘Celebrating creative talent emerging from the nations Art colleges by ‘floating’ the best new artists onto a public stage in conjunction with the London Mayors Thames Festival through the creation of a fresh and dynamic art event on the river Thames.’
FloatArt London is a stunning contemporary art space created on board the Dixie Queen Paddleboat located by Tower Bridge. As part of the newly extended program of events for The Mayor’s Thames Festival 2013, FloatArt London will host contemporary art events and artworks from the country’s most talented art graduates.
FloatArt London Award !
In addition to multiple installations and events the public get to vote for an artist to recieve a grant towards the cost of studio space for 12 months, with an exhibition in a public gallery at the culmination of the tenure.
One lucky graduate will be decided by public vote, the winner of the Award will receive a grant towards a studio for a year, culminating in a commercial exhibition in an established London exhibition space.
It all began with three established private collectors, a South London Gallery and a beautiful luxury paddle boat moored on the iconic river Thames. The founders are passionate art collectors and have long felt there should be a platform to showcase the nations fresh artistic makers in contemporary arts practice. London’s river Thames, a historical source of industry and trade is a living metaphor for the artistic energy thriving in the capital. BA and MA graduates are at a pivotal point in the first season after graduation. The artists are ready to trade having completed their formal training, set to surge into the global art market without any focused means of sharing their hopes and dreams in an accessible platform. We believe that there is great promise, talent and indeed economic potential in contemporary art. FloatArt London is a program of installations and exhibitions on board the luxury chartered Dixie Queen permanently moored at the cultural hub of the Thames on Southbank just across from the ‘city’ near Tower Bridge. FloatArt London is an event where you will experience new talent, the movements within contemporary art as they are now and focus on creativity as a blossoming resource from the UK.
Founders:
Davide Mengoli, FloatArt Co-founder: He established GX Gallery in the historic Camberwell arts district in 2001. It specialises in recognised artists with a focus on contemporary abstract and figurative styles. Since 2007 he has been holding a successful annual exhibition for selected graduates. Davide is a tri-lingual entrepreneur with a passion for start-ups.
Anand Saggar, FloatArt Co-founder: He is a clinical geneticist at St George’s Hospital, and Chair of the Arts Committee there. For a decade he has been at the forefront of exhibiting artwork in hospitals. Anand is a member of The Hayward Gallery and an avid art collector.
