Not one, not two but three art fairs are set to descend upon Sydney this week. The one you might not have heard of, which makes it all the more alluring, is Spring 1883 — named after the street where it started at Melbourne's grand old Hotel Windsor in 2014.
Spring 1883 is the brainchild of founders and gallerists Vasili Kaliman (Station), Geoff Newton (Neon Parc), and Vikki McInnes (Sarah Scout Presents) and began as an alternative fair to Melbourne Contemporary. Its debut was filled with an energy and vibrancy that had exhibitors and collectors hot under the collar for more. Spring 1883 is now bringing its boutique art fair brand to Sydney to take over Justin Hemmes’ Establishment Hotel in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
So why does Sydney need a third art fair? Well, unlike most art fairs, each gallery participating in Spring 1883 has been selected via invitation only. This means that the directors can focus on presenting and selling the contemporary art that makes them tick, creating a unique environment for artists, galleries and collectors to come together and talk about the art, as well as buy it.
For its first Sydney edition, Spring 1883 will feature 25 Australian and international galleries.