The Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair and the National Antiques Week (NAW) in London, taking place April 20 – 28, are collaborating on a new initiative to find the ‘Young Guns’ who are behind the future of the art and antiques industry. All around the UK there are hundreds of fresh businesses being established in the art and antiques world led by enthusiastic young entrepuenuers, who are not well known, but the Young Guns competition hopes to change that.
Twelve shortlisted young dealers have been selected as finalists for the 2013 Young Guns of the Antiques and Trade Award. Here’s a look at the finalists:
Matthew Nunn, 37, of West London
Natalie Smith, 32, of North East London
Alys Dobbie, 29, of Brighton & Cornwall
Keeley Harris, 36, of York
Paul Jones, 29 of North Wales & Chester
Robbie Timms, 30, of Bedfordshire
Sam Loxton, 33, of London
Kieran Mathewson, 33, of the Heart of England
Adam Partridge, 39, of North West England
Chris Oxley, 36, of West of London
Timothy Medhurst, 21, of Chelmsford
James Gooch, 30, of Bedfordshire
The winner and the two runner-ups will be announced and presented with their awards during the fair.
The foyer of the fair will showcase a selection of stock from this year’s Young Guns contenders, curated by Mark Hill. As a youthful expert himself, he is already a well-known name across the UK and will be picking a directional edit to showcase the tastes of these young and exciting antiques and vintage devotees.
The Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair will host over 140 UK and European exhibitors, April 20 – 28. For more details on the fair, visit the website.
