1. How did you get your start?
I got a stop-gap job at Christie’s South Kensington and accidentally spent nearly 20 years in the picture department.
2. How has the market changed?
It is no longer viable to buy and sell works of art if they are simply well painted. They need to have something really interesting about them.
It is much more difficult to sell traditional landscapes and genre scenes, especially since Christie’s took the sad decision to close down the South Kensington saleroom.
Recently, too, it has been increasingly important to use social media to get your name out there and a good website is essential.
3. What are you bringing to BADA 2018?
We have put together a collection of real treasures, including an exciting selection of drawings by Paul Gauguin, Raoul Dufy, Giovanni Boldini, Marie Laurencin, Francois Boucher and Keith Vaughan. The highlight is perhaps a complete set of prints by Marcus Behmer of Oscar Wilde’s Salome. They are exceptionally beautiful and probably one of a kind.
4. What is an exhibition you would love to stage?
Anything to do with the 1960s and ‘70s. I just love the imagery from the period.
5. Real ale or espresso martini?
Definitely real ale – I’m particularly partial to a pint of Harvey’s of Lewes.
If you would like to be featured in 5 Questions, please contact francesallitt@antiquestradegazette.com
