Author | Christiane Nickel
Artexpo is a large NYC art fair that hosts over 400 artists, galleries and publishers from across the globe all under one roof at Pier 94. Check it out this weekend (April 4- 6).
Given the overwhelming success of last year’s show, what is the direction that Artexpo will be taking this year?
We had outgrown the space at Pier 92, so this year we made the move to Pier 94, New York’s Art and Design pier, which doubled our square footage. We have added more quality art and added more than 80 exhibitors. The more content you have, the longer attendees stay which will benefit all of our exhibitors and give the audience a richer experience with much more to see.
In terms of curation, how is the Artexpo different from other art fairs?
Our jurying committee in [SOLO] looks for young emerging artists that have had at least two years experience in the art business. Artexpo brings together innovative established artists with galleries and publishers from across the globe, showcasing exciting original artwork, prints, paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, giclee, lithographs, glass works and more. This year Artexpo is more global in its exhibition with exhibitors coming from as far as Russia, Ukraine, China and more.
Aside from David Bromstad, what are some highlights to see for this year’s show?
• More than 3,000 art giveaways courtesy of QArt (booth 467)
• Arron Poritz VIP lounge
• Trends & Topics education series (complete curriculum available online)
• “Splash of Color” seminar and meet and greet with HGTV’s David Bromstad
• Exhibition and LIVE photo shoot at 6 p.m. Friday by Jordan Matter, photographer and New York Times bestselling author of “Dancers Among Us.”
• Official Artexpo New York poster contest and winner unveiling. The contest’s theme is “New York.”
• Guided Art Tours, available upon request
• Live demonstrations by Ken Delmar, the Paper Towel Picasso, from 2-3 p.m. daily (booth S812)
• Artist unveilings and painting demonstrations
• Touch Galleries presents award-winning Nelson Mandela Collection (booth 370)
• A range of international artists represented, including: Bejing Caiyuxan Gallery, from Bejing, China; Galleria Quorum, from Madrid, Spain; Palais Royal Gallerie, from Moscow, Russia; Canapo Art Gallery, which exhibits a collection of Latin-American masters and artists; Square Gallery, from Positano, Italy, and more.
What, in your opinion do you see to be the direction for Artexpo in the next 5 years?
Artexpo will continue to be the platform for many established modern contemporary artists as well as a springboard for [SOLO] artists. Our goal has always been to create an expo where artists can be discovered.
What (if any) is the involvement of queer artists or artists that deal with themes of queer identity?
Whether you are an artist, exhibitor or collector, your perception of any artwork is a personal experience.
What advice would you give someone who has never been to Artexpo who may be interested in buying?
Talk to the artists and exhibitors, ask them about the art, learn about the artist and their inspiration, and enjoy the artwork that you buy.
What advice would you give to an artist aspiring to one day exhibit at Artexpo?
Visit the show and take in as much as you can. Go to www.artexponewyork.com and click on Exhibitor Resources. Read as much as you can there, especially the articles under Show Tips and Success Stories. Read the posts on our Blog, Facebook and Twitter sites. Click on the Contact Us and use the information there to introduce yourself to our staff. Our Business Development Team is always at your service and eager to work with aspiring artists.
Can you tell me more about the work you will be featuring of Nelson Mandela’s?
Limited edition artworks, hand printed from authentic drawings that were created and hand signed by the late Honourable Nelson Mandela himself are now on display at the “New York Art Expo 2014, April 4-6”. Whilst highly controversial at times, the Nelson Mandela artworks exhibited here by Touch Galleries have achieved their primary objective: to graphically represent the remarkable journey and ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ by one of history’s most influential leaders.
Touch Galleries sells the signed limited edition lithographs with prices ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. Some of the editions are sold out and can only be secured through the secondary market. When an edition has or is nearly sold out, great appreciation in the value of the remaining lithographs has resulted.
When you buy a Mandela lithograph, you own a piece of the unique Mandela spirit as well as you contribute to supporting Mandela’s wish to eradicate poverty. Part of the proceeds from the sale of these works goes towards supporting Chief Patron Nelson Mandela’s Afrika Tikkun, a not for profit that aids impoverished communities in South Africa.
