Last month judges from the Cork Street Open Exhibition suggested visiting art fairs and paying attention to how the work was framed and presented. The month of October offers many opportunities to do just that, with a smorgasbord of art fairs available to choose from. Inspiration is another great reason for getting to as many fairs and shows you have the time and money to attend.
While you may never aspire to produce the type of art showcased at fairs like Frieze you can’t help but be impressed and perhaps indirectly influenced by the latest innovators to be ushered onto the avant garde art stage. This year will also see the launch of Moniker in London, a new fair that hopes to compliment Frieze by showing the work of street artists recognized by museums and collectors, but often overlooked at the mainstream art fairs.
Warning – DO NOT bring along your portfolio or try to talk to gallery owners about your work. They have spent thousands of pounds and hours of preparation to be at the fair and they are there to sell art and build relationships with customers, not artists. In fact if you are discussing a work with them that you do not intend to purchase you should be extremely mindful of others in or approaching the stand and excuse yourself when a potential buyer approaches. Galleries rely on fairs and shows to sell art and build their businesses, if you don’t respect their work and act professionally why should they treat you any differently.
Open Exhibition 