1 What is one great discovery you’ve made?
Our work with the Borough Group artists has yielded some tremendous finds by artists who are far from household names, although I would hesitate to say I discovered them – the artist David Bomberg did most of the hard graft on that front at the time.
2 What has excited you about the trade this year?
There is a greater willingness to explore the work of more neglected figures in Modern British art history, both by dealers and collectors, which has led to a more diverse and interesting variety of exhibitions being mounted. The revitalisation of the British Art Fair and the commercial success of British artists outside the UK are also very encouraging.
3 What is the best exhibition you have visited recently?
Aftermath at Tate Britain will linger long in the memory. David Lang’s choral piece Memorial Ground was movingly performed at the private view which added significantly to the poignancy of the exhibition. It was beautifully curated.
4 What is one challenge that buyers or collectors currently face?
I suspect the biggest challenge is information overload and knowing which sources to trust. One could argue that it was ever thus, but the rise of online platforms and resources, the shift in emphasis of the auction houses from wholesale to retail and the proliferation of art fairs does mean that collectors, even experienced ones, can struggle to see the wood for the trees.
5 One object you couldn’t do without?
Although it pains me to say it: the smartphone. Gone are the days when you had to pack notepads, torches, cameras and tape measures to visit clients, artists or estates. I am just waiting for a UV light to be standard on the iPhone.
