ILLOVO – The fair hosted a series of virtual Taf Talks to drive discussions on some of the current challenges facing the industry today; this included the 19-month long elephant in the room, Covid-19.
The hunger for art remains apparent even during the ups, downs and lockdowns of Covid-19.
This was visible at the opening of this year’s Turbine Art Fair (Taf) on October 1 in Illovo. Galleries, artists and curators from around the country gathered to showcase and sell contemporary art.
“We believe that it is imperative that we continue to support and champion emerging artists and continue conversations around art, collecting and keeping the art ecosystem engaged for its survival and growth,” said art fair founder Glynis Hyslop.
Following the exhibition, the fair hosted a series of virtual Taf Talks to drive discussions on some of the current challenges facing the industry today – this included the 19-month long elephant in the room, Covid-19.
According to World Art Gallery owner Charl Bezuidenhout, while his gallery was selling an increased number of units, they were sold at a lower price.
“In the past, I would do three to four big art fairs a year where I would get a dedicated art appreciating crowd who can probably afford a certain amount of money for a piece. That is generally not there anymore,” he said.
Guns and Rain Gallery owner Julie Taylor added that a majority of her sales have been driven through virtual viewings, translating to the power of technology.
“Technology has the power to expand the way in which we engage with art, not replace.
“Technology is never going to allow us to interact with an artwork like we do in the flesh, in the flesh it is tactile, and it is visceral, emotional in ways that are not going to be replicated online,” said Taylor.
She added that there was also a greater trust in online buying and people were willing to take the risk of buying something that they have seen in a photograph or video.
