Overview
The Auckland Art Fair was developed to encourage involvement, understanding and appreciation of contemporary art in New Zealand. This year it will be held at the brand new Viaduct Events Centre (the first event to be held there).
On 1 August, 126 galleries and artists will start arriving in a fleet of trucks and courier vans and commence the hanging of an estimated 600 artworks by 200 artists. By the opening on Wednesday 3rd, the Viaduct Event Centre will be decked out in the finest contemporary art Australasia has to offer.
A NEWCOMERS' GUIDE TO THE ART FAIR
1. You don’t need to be rich or have a Ph.D. in Fine Arts to collect art
2. First stop, get to know an experienced dealer. No they are not snobby or intimidating but professional, passionate experts who really know their stuff and are there to help you uncover what you like and want
3. The art fair is a great place to see the work of up and coming artists alongside some more established names – and there’s no pressure to buy
4. You can look and learn for as long as you like without the price of a work going up in front of your eyes
5. Experts are on hand who welcome questions from the galleries representing the artists and you may even meet the artist in person
6. You can often take the work away then and there - instant gratification – or arrange for payments by installments if you take the plunge!
7. There are public forums and lectures to get to know more about how it all works
8. The place is teeming with people to talk to from seasoned collectors, critics, gallerists, artists and people like you – it’s fun and exhilarating
9. There’s a myth that the higher the price, the better the art – not true – get your gallerist to advise and go with your gut: buy what you like and love
10. And while we’re myth busting, work sold at galleries is not more expensive. In fact when you buy from a gallery, you are buying from the primary art market, and supporting the artist, not lining the pocket of an anonymous vendor on-selling the work for a profit or a bidder pushing up the price