Christmas is coming. You are most likely going to end up buying something. Make it count. Use this time of the year to treat others and yourself and to support young or underrepresented artists along the way. I get asked endlessly why contemporary art is so expensive. Not true. There are many price points. You just need to know where to look. I have three propositions that you will love and I am almost tempted not to let anyone know so that I can keep it all for myself but… this is my Christmas gift to you!
Run to the pop-up shop House of Voltaire in Cork St for a feast on limited editions and prints, unique works, homeware, clothing, etc. by leading young and underrepresented contemporary artists. For over twenty years, Studio Voltaire (the charitable organization supported by the pop-up shop) has offered an alternative and agenda-setting view of contemporary art uncovering talents that have then jump-started their careers. The organisation invests in the production of new work that might not always be possible in commercial galleries or institutions, giving artists the chance to expand their practice, often working in residency in the gallery.
Set of 6 China Dinner Plates
10-inch Diameter
Edition of 50
£340
Courtesy of the artist and Studio Voltaire, London
Print portfolio edition set of 10 prints 23 x 27 5cm each sold in bespoke frames Edition of 15
£6,000
Courtesy of the artist and Studio Voltaire, London
Dream is a series of online international art fairs. Dream fairs exist only on the website and are scheduled concurrent with existing art fairs. The international selection of galleries featured at the online fair have indeed a physical base. However, Dream offers a new exposure opportunity during key dates in the internal art fair calendar. Coinciding with Art Basel Miami this weekend, London-based gallery Limoncello* is participating at Dream Miami with a project by Gabriele De Santis. One weekend in November, De Santis transformed the gallery in London into a Christmas grotto with presents under the tree. The presents were chosen by and labelled with love from the artist and priced £50 to £5000. All artworks were discounted by 40% of their value. For every artwork sold, the artist receives their 50% of the value and the remaining 10% is donated to Save the Children. My picks on this primary art market Christmas shenanigans…
*Please note this link will only be valid until Sunday December 4th 2016 when the fair ends.
Unframed Collage
28.5 x 21 cm (11 1/4″ x 8 1/4″)
£693.75
Courtesy the artist and Limoncello
Acrylic and Oil on Linen
177 x 150 cm (69 5/8″ x 59″)
Courtesy the artist and Limoncello
Painting on Marble
122 x 92 cm (48″ x 36 1/4″)
£5,000
Courtesy the artist and Limoncello
7-Colour Blockprint
70 x 70 cm (27 1/2″ x 27 1/2″)
Edition 1/5 + II AP
£1,541.68
Courtesy the artist and Limoncello
(Ribbons)
C-Type Print Framed in Artists Frame
41 x 61 cm (16 1/8″ x 24″)
Edition 1/3 + II AP
£925.01
Courtesy the artist and Limoncello
Paper Cuts is run by Kristian Day, gallerist and curator with a focus on figurative painting by young artists. As described by himself: “Paper Cuts is a load of unique works on paper in a box. It’s not a one-time event or exhibition. It is online but there will be a couple of events before Christmas to see the works. It is not ‘a survey of contemporary painting in the 21st Century. It’s a load of pictures in a box.” With prices ranging £50-£500, I am sure you will find something to your liking. I am quite taken by this little number.
15 x 13cm
watercolour on paper
£95
Courtesy the artist and Kristian Day
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