Women in Art Fair (WIAF) Returns with Mumble Forum Collaboration this June 2025.

Women in Art Fair (WIAF) returns to London this June 19-21 at Gallery@Oxo located in the OXO Tower Wharf, coinciding with London's vibrant summer art calendar. We're delighted to continue our partnership with WIAF, a dynamic initiative focused on closing the gender divide within the art industry by promoting emerging and established female artists. This ongoing collaboration reflects our mutual dedication to advancing women's leadership and equality in the arts sector.

Throughout the three-day event programme, attendees can engage with a diverse range of panel discussions featuring prominent industry leaders, creating valuable networking and learning opportunities for artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts alike. Together, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment that elevates talented women artists and supports their professional development within the contemporary art landscape.

"Women artists: your time is now!" declares Jacqueline Harvey, WIAF’s director and founder.

"We open our 2025 edition in a spirit of protest, in a desire to claim an equal space for women in the universe of creators, to gain just recognition for this whole sector of artists whose work is currently so undervalued." Harvey, who brings extensive expertise from her tenure at prestigious institutions including Art Basel, Masterpiece, and London Art Fair, emphasizes the urgency of addressing systemic inequities with compelling statistics: Only 3.3% of all auction sales between 2008-2022 were works by women, with women earning as little as 10% of what their male counterparts make, and the median price of artwork by female artists remaining 47.6% lower than men's work.

Although a women-focused fair may not single-handedly resolve gender disparities in the art market, it serves as a crucial catalyst for highlighting the persistent inequalities within commercial gallery spaces. Since its establishment in 2018, WIAF weathered pandemic-related postponements and has since flourished with backing from the Arts Council and sponsorship from luxury British developer Chartwell Group. As women's purchasing power continues to expand within the art market, the fair spotlights a historically marginalized yet increasingly influential demographic in the industry.

Why It Matters

WIAF represents more than a commercial exhibition—it's a vital response to the gender disparities that persist in today's art world. While female artists have historically faced institutional barriers limiting their access to galleries and recognition, contemporary awareness has yet to translate into meaningful change. Platforms like WIAF provide immediate opportunities for women artists to gain exposure while fostering broader conversations about women's place in art, culture, and society. By championing female creativity so visibly, the fair challenges established hierarchies and promotes a more inclusive artistic landscape.

Systemic Barriers and Market Dynamics

The underrepresentation of women in the art world extends beyond simple numbers, revealing deep-rooted structural barriers that perpetuate inequality throughout the industry ecosystem. Research indicates that female artists often struggle with limited access to influential networks, reduced gallery representation, and fewer opportunities for prestigious exhibitions that can elevate their market standing. These systemic challenges are compounded by collecting patterns that historically favored male artists, creating a cyclical effect where lower market values for women's work reinforce perceptions of lesser commercial viability. WIAF directly confronts these entrenched dynamics by creating alternative pathways for exposure and sales, while simultaneously educating collectors and industry professionals about the untapped potential within this undervalued market segment. Through its focused approach, the fair not only provides immediate opportunities for participating artists but also works to shift broader industry attitudes and practices that have long marginalized women's creative contributions.

A Platform Evolving with Purpose

While WIAF cannot single-handedly transform the art market landscape, it represents a significant evolution in how specialized art fairs can create meaningful impact. By introducing initiatives like the inaugural Women in Art Fair Prize and prioritizing its Open Call section, the fair demonstrates how targeted programming can provide both immediate support and long-term career development opportunities. The competitive selection process—choosing 170 artists from 2,000 applications—establishes WIAF as a serious platform that maintains high curatorial standards while expanding access.

Moreover, by relocating to Gallery@Oxo and establishing its own distinct moment in London's art calendar, WIAF has transitioned from a supplementary event to a primary destination. This strategic repositioning allows the fair to operate "in a spirit of protest" as Harvey describes, creating what she calls "a transformative space where creativity takes centre stage." The June timing enables focused attention on participating artists without the distractions of competing major events.

As art fairs continue to proliferate and specialize, initiatives like WIAF demonstrate how purpose-driven programming can create lasting value beyond traditional commercial metrics.

Join us in supporting this innovative approach this June for engaging exhibitions, industry discussions, and networking opportunities. Together, we can participate in reshaping how the art world recognizes and supports emerging talent.