About SAPF

The Sydney Art on Paper Fair (SAPF) celebrates its 10th anniversary in July 2005.

The event has established itself, since its inauguration in 1989, as a significant player in Australia’s art market. SAPF is the only international art fair in Sydney and the only art fair within the Asia Pacific region showcasing photography, limited edition prints, drawing, painting, sculpture, limited edition art posters, digitally created art, artist books – all conceivable art forms using paper.

The International Master Print Fair was founded in 1989 by Akky van Ogtrop, art dealer and historian. Akky continues to be the main driver and inspiration behind the event as the Executive Director. A collector of international art, a Dada specialist and an art fair veteran, Akky tirelessly promotes art on paper within Australia and overseas. She is supported by 3 seasonal & seasoned staff, an advisory committee and a wealth of volunteers.

A new development in 2005 is the establishment of the Fair officially as a non-profit organisation.

Originally an annual event it became biennial in 1991 and was known as the International Works on Paper Fair, Sydney.

In 2001, following visitor research, the name was changed to: Sydney Art on Paper Fair (SAPF). Research showed that the terminology of “works on paper” was confusing for the audience and that the name “art on paper” is easier to understand. The inclusion of ‘Sydney’ in the name places the Fair firmly at its home and with Sydney’s image as a vibrant, cultural city.

The 9th Fair took place at Byron Kennedy Hall, Fox Studios, Sydney from 31 July to 3 August 2003. The Fair involved 35 exhibitors from The Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia-wide showing the work of over 400 artists, including a stand ‘FRESH’ dedicated to Australian emerging artists. The fair was well-received with over 6,000 visitors attending. SAPF continued to provide a forum for information, exchange and relationship building between artists, galleries and educational institutions, both nationally and internationally. A dynamic public program accompanied the Fair’s activities, including a one-day symposium and five satellite exhibitions. The Fair saw a 35% increase in sales with a healthy follow on to galleries resulting in more sales.

SAPF Emerging Artists Stand “FRESH” (sponsored by SAPF), a selected exhibition open to postgraduates across Australia, has proved to be an exciting and valuable stepping stone for artists’ careers. It gives emerging artists an opportunity to create a public profile for their work through participation in the Fair and to make industry contacts. As a result art galleries currently represent most of the winning artists from the three “Fresh” exhibits so far.

The lecture and demonstration program has brought the visitors into contact with the commercial aspects of the artists’ practice, for which the feedback is immensely positive. The international galleries represented are exposed to the range and holdings of Australian commercial galleries but also to the activities, issues and directions of the arts, and collecting practices within the Australian art scene. Over the years a great number of new relationships have been established between galleries, artists and printmaking studios.

Funding has been granted for previous Fairs by the Audience Development Division of the Australia Council, the Australia Korea Foundation, The Mondriaan Foundation and the Goethe Institute. In addition the Fair has been made possible with corporate support both in the form of cash and in-kind sponsorships.

Click on the following links to visit the websites for IWOPF 2001, IWOPF 1999, SAPF 2003