This is the first UK fair devoted entirely to Russian works and it is the idea of London-based art dealer Peter London, who is organising the event in association with Essex organiser Robert Bailey, who acts as consultant.
Mr London has been dealing in Victorian and later pictures for the past 15 years and shows at fairs, including Robert Bailey’s fair at Claridge’s some years ago.
He was inspired in his new venture by the number of wealthy Russians resident in London and the remarkable demand by wealthy Russians the world over for Russian art of all kinds.
The organiser feels London is the heart of this international market in Russian works and will offer solely Russian work of the past 150 years, covering Fabergé, icons, silver, Soviet realist and contemporary art.
Mr London told ATG: “There are now almost 400,000 Russians living in London, including countless millionaires and more than 1000 multi-millionaires. Yet until now there has not been a dedicated event to cater for the renowned eclectic taste of the Russian art collector.”
Some 45 stands are planned and Mr London says around a third have been allocated, though he is not yet releasing names.
He promises a smart, fully standfitted event in the hotel ballroom and a charity gala night will be held which the Russian ambassador will attend.
Such a fair may have looked set to fit the bill when first mooted, but how will it perform following the credit crunch and worldwide recession, which has particularly hit very rich Russians?
Mr London feels his fair will survive this setback since he will not be offering art with multi-million pound price tags; it will be more in the £2000-£40,000 range and here he feels the oligarchs (and equally importantly, their wives) will not feel the pinch.
By David Moss
