5 Things to Know: When Buying at an Art Fair
Working with an experienced advisor opens up the fair for new buying opportunities through an insider’s viewpoint of the artworks, galleries programs and artistic practices and which ones would be good fits for one’s collection.
You will be sure your acquisitions are of the best quality, value and pieces that have a lasting impact in your life. You’ll find me at many of the top global fairs so feel free to send me a message for more information on navigating an upcoming art fair.
1
Prioritize your Targeted Galleries
When entering the fair, go to the galleries you know you’ll likely buy from first and then circle back to look at the other booths. That way you’ll potentially not miss out on an opportunity. If you don’t have any specific galleries on your list, make sure you grab map and mark the galleries you like for future reference.
2
Talk to the Dealers
It can be intimidating for first-timers, but talking to the dealers will open up an understanding of the works and also what else is available from an artist off-site.
Ask to be on their mailing list for pre-fair PDFs. They are there to sell… so go ahead and ask. On the last day, many of the principles in the gallery have gone home so the earlier in the fair you engage, the better.
3
Ask for a Hold
Sometimes—but not always—you can ask for something to be put on hold for you until you see it in person (i.e. if you see something in a pre-fair pdf). If they say “no” it’s because they know they’ll sell early, so then act fast if you can’t live without it.
4
Know if an Artist has Multiple Galleries
Some artists works can be found in multiple booths (as they are represented by a number of galleries regionally). As such, have a look at the whole field of offerings, pricing and availability as those variables can sometimes shift from gallery to gallery.
5
Go Back to the Fair
Dealers can rehang, offering fresh works, especially the day after the VIP opening. Peek into the back room closet which is often open and contains more works. There will be booths you missed the first time because it’s impossible to see everything in one day.