Russian, Eastern and Oriental Fine Art Fair 2010
Natalia Goncharova.
Stage Design for the 'Firebird',
Watercolor on paper.
Sphinx Fine Art.
The Russian, Eastern & Oriental Fine Art Fair launched to great success on the 9th June 2010 when over 1300 visitors attended the Royal Preview at the Park Lane Hotel in the heart of Mayfair. Staged over three levels of the Art Deco Ballroom complex, the Fair was opened by TV art critic, Andrew Graham Dixon in the presence of HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO and resulted in some substantial sales. The mood was heightened by the arrival of buyers fresh from an earlier sale of Russian works at Sotheby’s looking for new additions to their private collections. The evening saw a delighted Tanya Baxter / Kings Road Gallery selling two key works from the ‘Mother Teresa Series’ by the living master of Indian art, M.F.Husain and reserves on work by Pip Todd Warmoth. Other participating galleries reported multiple reserves and strong interest with Albemarle Gallery expecting to sell all their paintings by Russian artists Elena & Michel Gran, while Oc-Eo Gallery sold a major work by S.K.Bakre as a direct result of the pre-Fair marketing.
Strong attendance throughout the week, coupled with a Charity Gala Evening on Friday (attended by over 800 visitors) saw exceptional business achieved by many of the participating galleries.
New for 2010 - and an integral part of the Russian Art Fair - was The Eastern & Oriental Art Fair. Reflecting the latest enthusiasm in London for art from the former Persia and bordering countries, China, Korea and Vietnam, specialist galleries have shown a stunning mix of traditional and contemporary fine art from this region, alongside art and antiques from India and the Orient. Contemporary art were hanging alongside perennially-popular items such as Chinese and Japanese ceramics, metalwork, paintings and woodblock prints.
In recent years, Chinese art has soared in popularity and value – boosted by the country’s soaring economy. Art from the Middle East and Asia is now emerging in a similar fashion, fueled by major sales of Arab, Iranian and Indian fine art at the major auction houses. There is a real dynamism in this sector, with young Eastern and Asian artists emerging onto the international stage.
In London, new exhibitions of Korean and Vietnamese art hang alongside the traditional offerings from Japan. Charles Saatchi has recently showcased a major exhibition of Middle-Eastern art and is seeking to open a gallery in the United Arab Emirates. Indian art is as popular as ever, with prices rising as the Indian economy grows and the market has seen an explosion of growth almost on a par with Russian art.
Konstantin Molteninov.
The Start, 1962.
Oil on board.
John Barkes.
So what is the relationship between Russian and Middle Eastern art and how do they integrate? Well, both disciplines can trace their history to Byzantine culture. In Russia, this first manifested itself in the development of a rich history of icon painting. Art of the Middle East retains the influence of Byzantium, with the use of rich colours, patterns and geometric motifs. However, it avoids depictions of humans or idol worship. Instead, the art tends to focus on the history of the regions.
With Russian and Eastern Art tracing its history over the last 1000 years to Byzantium and surrounding areas, the styles and materials employed by both traditional and contemporary craftsmen from throughout the Eastern world will integrate seamlessly.
Y.S. Komendant.
The Visit of Nikita Kruschev to the Miners of Donetsk,
Oil on canvas.
Jacques Monasch Art Gallery.
Leading international galleries have showcased a stunning array of the finest works produced by Russian and Eastern craftsmen over the last millennium. From Faberge jewels to Byzantine icons; from ancient ceramics to fine Avant-garde paintings, the Fair has covered every discipline of fine art, uniting dealers and collectors from across the world.
With almost every other fine art fair focusing on art from the West, the Russian, Eastern and Oriental Fine Art Fair is the only event of its kind to focus only on art from Russia and the East.
The 2009 Fair proved one of the social highlights of the year for the Russian community, with a Charity Gala Evening attended by Their Highnesses Prince and Princess Dimitri Lobanov Rostovsky and other high profile members of the London Russian community, celebrity clientele, VIPs and invited guests. Along with the Ritz Club VIP dinner, the evening raised considerable funds to help children with severe burns and resulted in some substantial six-figure sales. Three television stations covered the event.
The 2010 Gala Evening was a similarly glamorous occasion.
The 2010 Russian, Eastern and Oriental Art Fair.
Works Presented
The works above presented were selected as they belong to the Russian Avant-garde category at the Russian Art Fair.
To see other works included in the Russian Art Fair visit the Fair official website.
Location
The VIP dinner was held at the The Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1.
The 2010 Fair was held in the spectacular Art Deco ballroom complex of the Park Lane Hotel in the heart of London's Mayfair from 9-12 June 2010.
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
Back to Top |
