ART ATTACK

No matter what your budget, everyone can be a buyer at Art Melbourne – we tell you how

WORDS MICHELLE FINCKE

 

Photo: Lucas DawsonInterest rates are up. Shares are down. It just might be that the best place to put your money is on the wall. Well, it’s certainly more interesting than under your mattress. Once seen as the exclusive preserve of cashed-up celebrities, blue-chip corporations and the establishment elite, collecting art is becoming increasingly accessible.

Art Melbourne 2008 aims to open up this mysterious and fascinating world to all-comers – savvy collectors, novice buyers and simple enthusiasts alike. On 18–20 April, the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Carlton will host a riot of Australia’s most interesting, challenging and affordable art, including paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, ceramics and indigenous works.

This vibrant annual fair features pieces from 100 galleries and 800 artists from all over the country. Some are renowned, like expat Australian, now New York resident David Rankin, whose works appear in major public galleries here and overseas. Many more, however, are relatively unknown, hoping for a career kick-start at Art Melbourne 2008.

“This is the place to discover new, young artists, hot talent and emerging galleries,” declares Art Melbourne 2008 director Iain Dawson, formerly gallery manager for the Tim Olsen Gallery in Sydney.

Iain Dawson“People can come to the one spot and see it all. My analogy is that it’s like a David Jones or Myer department store. There’s this amazing range of products in the one spot. You can compare works, judge your taste against others… it’s a great shortcut, too, for researching the market rather than trawling galleries every weekend,” explains Dawson.

And in the best department store tradition, where there’s a sale there’s a stampede. Thursday is exclusive preview and party night and, Dawson confesses, collectors occasionally get a little over-enthusiastic when sought-after new works are revealed.

“People do race in as soon as the door is open, which is good,” he laughs. “We are trying to get people excited about the works… I call it ‘red dot frenzy’.”

If you thought the art world was stuffy, think again. Dawson hopes Art Melbourne 2008 challenges perceptions, with 75% of the works costing under AU$5,000. Even AU$1,000 could buy a beautiful bargain.

The emphasis is on fun and learning. Daily art walks will tackle such lively themes as choosing works to suit your home and buying indigenous art ethically. The kids will be kept busy with creative activities and you can discuss your choices over a meal and glass of wine.

Artist Aaron Kinanne in his studio
Photo: Charles Hewitt Gallery, SydneyAnd of course, not every visitor is a buyer – plenty are simply looking for a stimulating day out – but research from Art Sydney 2007 shows that 65–75% of the 15,000 attendees were looking to spend.

Many will be experienced, looking for the well-represented established names. But everyone wants to make a discovery. Renault New Generation Art showcases work by artists under 40 years old, represented by major commercial galleries and who are seen as the stars of the future, such as Aaron Kinnane for the Charles Hewitt Gallery in Sydney. Off The Wall is an exhibition from up-and-coming artists not yet snapped up by a commercial gallery. Selected by experts, it gives visitors the chance to buy amazing art at entry-level prices, at the same time encouraging tomorrow’s stars.

But while you might love it and it might look great behind your couch, is it a good buy? Not surprisingly, the experts reckon you could do worse than invest in art.

Sculptures from
Contempora 2008, Adrian
Page’s Numbers Up –
Hidden + Revealed and
Angela MacDougall’s
Found Flower“It’s a great time to invest in the Australian art market,” enthuses Danielle Draudt of the prestigious Kozminsky Gallery (421 Bourke St, Melbourne, tel: +61 (3) 9670 1277). “While auction prices are rising for a selection of superstars, there are still lots of under-valued works. Melbourne has a great range of commercial galleries, artist-run spaces and auction houses to view and buy art. Emerging art is an exciting and affordable way to begin a collection,” she says.

Iain Dawson agrees. “The art market follows the general market, but at a slower pace. So at the last downturn in the economy, the art market stayed buoyant for four or five years. But I have to say, I don’t come at it from an investment point of view, because I love art.”

DUMMIES’ GUIDE TO BUYING ART

Tips for new players from Danielle Draudt, Kozminsky Gallery:

Don’t rush. Take your time and buy when you find something that really excites and moves you.

Do the groundwork. Discover what inspires you. Visit art galleries and museums – the more you look, the more you refine your eye and define your taste.

Educate yourself. There are some beautiful art books and magazines, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Trust your taste. There are a lot of exciting things happening in the contemporary art world spanning all genres. Buy what do you want to live with?

Set your budget. Figure out how much you’re willing to allocate for your art collection, and how many pieces you initially want to purchase.

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS

Melburnians love their art – stroll the Yarra banks, the parks, the Docklands, even the narrow, dingy lanes for proof. Challenging and intriguing sculpture and street art is everywhere, large and imposing or small and cheeky, from the quirky Cow Up A Tree at Docklands to a tiny graffiti work by renowned British artist Banksy, which is tucked behind a city building.

“Unlike most cities, public art in Melbourne is actively encouraged,” says Phil Hall, director of the Contempora 2008 sculpture festival, currently installed at Docklands.

Featuring 30 major sculptures from prominent artists as well as newcomers, Contempora 2008 is free and on display until April 20.

For all your travel choices, go to www.jetstar.com