The First Russian Art Fair

THE FIRST RUSSIAN ART FAIR has taken place from 6-8 June 2009, timed to coincide with the June Russian auction sales in London.

Along with the Ritz Club VIP pre-fair dinner and charity auction, the Fair raised almost £15,000 for the Children's Fire and Burn Trust (Royal Patron: HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO).

The Fair was unique in being the first ever fair devoted entirely to Russian Art. From Fabergé jewels to Imperial Russian silver; from Russian icons to paintings from the Avant-Garde, Soviet Realists and Contemporary, The Russian Art Fair united dealers and collectors from across the world with a stunning array of the finest works produced by Russian craftsmen and artists over the last millennium. The timing of the Fair has also taken advantage of the huge influx of Russian art buyers into London for the Russian art auction sales at Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams and MacDougall’s that week. The Fair has Attracted ove 700high-profile guests and resulted in some substantial sales.

Prices ranged from under £1,000 to £5,000,000, with some major works by early 20th century artists such as Natalia Goncharova, Wassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, Alexandra Exter, El Lissitzky and Petr Petrovich Konchalovsky, along with items dating from the 12th century to contemporary. There were also items of unusual and rare interest such as a fully restored Russian Troika from the collection of the Duke of Roxborough in the early 20th C.

High-profile galleries from across the northern hemisphere have taken part, giving the Fair a truly international feel.

19th century and early 20th century paintings from the Russian Avant-Garde were on sale from galleries including Leonid Shiskin Gallery, Moscow; Russian Provenance, Berlin and others; Gilden Arts, London will show specialist works of Russian artists of the Paris School, including Mark Chagall and Serge Ferat, while the Soviet Realists were offered by galleries including John Barkes, London; Danusha Fine Arts, London and ArteLia, London.

Modern and contemporary art was not forgotten either, with superb offerings from galleries such as Luxor International, Moscow & USA; Gallerie Visio Dell’Arte, Paris; Tatyana International Inc., USA and Artists of Russia, Surrey.

“There are now almost 400,000 Russians living in London – including countless millionaires and over 1,000 multi-millionaires - most of whom are collecting Russian art,” says Fair Director, Peter London. “Hundreds of regular serious buyers attend the London Russian sales, with thousands more dipping in and out. Yet until now, there has not been a dedicated event to cater for the renowned eclectic tastes of the typical Russian art collector.”

“Months before the event the Fair has already attracted galleries from across Europe. To appreciate the rapid growth in this market, the global figure for specialized Russian art sales in London and New York in 2000 was £7.6 million. This figure rose to £85 million in 2005 and £128 million in 2006. In 2007, the Russian art sales results for Sotheby’s and Christie’s alone totaled £180 million - a 45% rise on 2006 - and this figure does not include the spectacular results in Russian art achieved by both Bonhams and MacDougall’s. Although the effects of the global economic climate have seen this growth halted somewhat in 2008, it is mainly the very top end that has slowed due to unrealistic pricing, with middle-end art still attracting strong prices.”

Sergie Pavlenko, Court Painter to HM The Queen, has also presented his latest works. Pavlenko’s recent portrait of HM The Queen is said to be her favourite since the coronation.

The Ritz Club have supplied their premises to the Russian Art Fair for a pre-Fair VIP Dinner and charity auction which has taken place on the evening of 5th June 2009, before the opening of the Fair on June 6th.

The auction was conducted by the BBC’s Charlie Ross - a highly-respected trade and celebrity auctioneer - in aid of The Children’s Fire and Burns Trust and Friends of Russian Children (Patron: HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO). The Gala Dinner and Fair Gala Reception on the following evening (6th June) was attended by Their Highnesses Prince and Princess Dimitri Lobanov Rostovsky and other high profile members of the London Russian community. Each guest received a personal gift designed by Theo and Sarah Fabergé - donated by the St.Petersburg Collection. There was entertainment from International opera singers; a talk on the history of Fabergé and an introduction to the Ritz Club refurbishment, inspired by the great Russian palaces.

Details of the 2010 Russian Art Fair will be announced in the autumn, which will again be in aid of the Children's Fire and Burn Trust.

Works Presented

The works above presented were selected as they belong to the Russian Avant-garde category at the Russian ArtFair .

To see other works included in the Russian Art Fair visit the Fair official website.

Location

The fair was held at:

The Ballroom Jumeirah Carlton Tower
Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9PY

Acknowledged as one of the Capital's finest, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower enjoys an enviable location on Cadogan Place and Sloane Street, within easy reach of the Capital's most fashionable shopping areas.

The Ballroom, characterised by its silk walls, cherry wood panelling and Viennese chandeliers, provides a superb and dramatic setting for the inaugural Russian Art Fair. With its own dedicated street entrance, guests make their entry to the Gallery, an elegant reception area with a sweeping staircase leading to both The Ballroom and The Garden Rooms.

Those choosing to stay at the hotel have found the tropical ambiance of the famous Peak Health Club and Spa, 20 metre indoor swimming pool and choice of superb business facilities l make it difficult to leave!

Contact details:

Russian Art Fair Ltd
Telephone (UK only): 0845 116 2094
Overseas Enquiries: +44 (0)20 8998 7923
Fair Director: +44 7795 074843
Russian Speaking: +44 7788 661153
E-mail: info@russianartfair.com