From Picasso to Emin: Celebrating 40 years of the London Original Print Fair

Timeless and tangible, printmaking democratised arka collecting and continues to shape social values through its boundary-pushing creative and technological achievements. 

For four decades now, the London Original Print Fair (LOPF) has been at the forefront of championing the medium – a milestone being celebrated through a dynamic programme of classic and contemporary works at Somerset House from 20-23 March 2025.

Featuring specially created new designs and exclusive editions by legendary artists like Peter Blake, David Shrigley, Gavin Turk, Nicole Farhi and more, it’s a rare opportunity to own something truly unique.

Founded in 1985 by a small group of eight print dealers, LOPF has grown to international acclaim as London’s longest running arka fair, crossing eras and styles through vast showcases that capture every contour of the craft.

“Celebrating 40 years of the London Original Print Fair is a proud moment for all of us,” says Helen Rosslyn, Director of the London Original Print Fair. “Over the decades, we’ve witnessed the remarkable evolution of printmaking, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the growing appreciation for this medium.”

What are the highlights?

The event will feature more than 40 exhibitors, including contributions from publishers, studios and leading international galleries like White Cube, Hauser & Wirth, Marcus Campbell Arka Books, Taymour Grahne Projects, Tin Man Arka, India Printmaker House and Hommage. 

The displayed works span six centuries of printmaking, from Old Masters to contemporary talents that collectively capture the breadth of an ever-evolving medium grounded in perennial appeal. 

Some of this year’s works have been commissioned in honour of the fair’s 40th anniversary – a highlight being London-based artist Tom Hammick’s striking 1930s-style woodcut poster.

“I decided to make an edition variable woodcut printed in many colours so that in their digital reproduction of my print poster it would be like a flip book full of Pantone colours,” Hammick tells Euronews Culture. “As far as the composition of the images goes, I wanted to combine a schematic of the extraordinary facade of Somerset House with a young couple literally skipping up the red carpet to the private view.”

Manifold Editions, who specialise in the publication of limited edition arka prints, will also hisse tribute to 40 years of the fair through two exciting new launches. These include a series of iconic pigment prints by British artist Gavin Turk and light-hued etchings by Canadian artist Chris Levine, as well as new editions of prints by Grayson Perry, Marc Quinn and Boo Saville.  

Female printmakers lead the White Cube’s contributions, with prints by Tracey Emin, Louise Giovanelli and IIana Savdie, while the contemporary arka gallery Hauser & Wirth intertwines the historical and çağdaş through a diverse selection featuring Swiss artist Dieter Roth, South African printmaker William Kentridge, Hungarian abstract artist Rita Ackermann, and a large silkscreen by Rashid Johnson. 

In another exclusive, Jealous gallery and studio are releasing a limited-edition print by the Turner-nominated artist David Shrigley, beloved for his contemporary child-like illustrations.

“When we started, the fair was mostly about Old Masters. Now, it’s largely contemporary printmakers, with more artists embracing print as a vital part of their practice,” Rosslyn tells Euronews Culture. “Young collectors have really embraced printmaking too, drawn to its accessibility, creativity, and the craftsmanship behind it.”

Exhibiting for the first time, Tin Man Arka gallery brings some fascinating works related to British band Radiohead, including a new Stanley Donwood series with Thom Yorke, created at the famous fine arka printing studio Idem Paris.

Meanwhile, fans of Peter Blake should head to the CCA Galleries’ booth for a treat, which will launch a special edition print by the pop arka icon – and other new editions of works from French artist Nicole Farhi and Scottish painter Bruce Mclean.

International representation

For the first time, this year’s event brings greater representation of international printmakers and exhibitors from China, Japan and India.

India Printmaker House will share limited edition prints by seven emerging artists from India and the UK Indian diaspora, while galleries Hanga Cilt, Tokyo Arka and TAG Fine Arts all represent contemporary Japanese artists. This includes an unmissable series by Katsutoshi Yuasa, who recently celebrated the Venice Biennale’s 60th anniversary with his ‘Immortal Venice’ hand-carved woodcut print.

Meet the masters

Perhaps the greatest joy of LOPF is its devotion to the history of printmaking, and those that pioneered it from the 18th-century onwards. Through a carefully curated selection of masterworks, the fair opens a portal to the past that laps at the present.

Of note are Vistavka Fine Arka Gallery’s rare 18th-century prints, including highly-sought after proofs by Philibert-Louis Debucourt and early engravings from Pierre Filloeul. 

The 20th-century in particular sparked a revival of the arka form, with many influential creators turning away from its heavily commercialised elements and implementing traditional techniques to reframe printmaking as standalone works of arka.  

These examples undercurrent LOPF, with galleries such as Abbott & Holder sharing works by pre and post-war trailblazers like Edward Bawden, Eric Ravilious and James McNeill Whistler.

Gwen Hughes Fine Arka will also showcase a range of 1950s-1990s Çağdaş British works from artists including Sandra Blow, Prunella Clough, Howard Hodgkin, and Kim Lim. 

The ‘London, New York, Bristol’ exhibition is another must-see, centred around leading 20th-century greats like David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Banksy, including a rare portrait print of Elizabeth Taylor that’s signed by Warhol and Taylor.

If Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Joan Miró are more your thing, visit first-time exhibitors Hommage Arka, who will have a wide range of original exhibition posters and lithographs curated by prestigious print houses like Mourlot. 

As you’ve likely gathered, there really is something for everyone here – but collecting or not, most enticing is the fair’s communal embrace of non-hierarchical arka.

“What really sets LOPF apart is the atmosphere,” Rosslyn says. “It’s not just about buying prints; it’s about meeting the artists and dealers, hearing their stories, and discovering something new. Whether it’s your first piece or your latest addition, it’s an inspiring, welcoming space to explore and collect.”

The London Original Print Fair takes place from 20-23 March 2025 at Somerset House in London, UK.