Artists showcase work to international audience
Mar 6 2010 The Journal
A NEWCASTLE gallery is helping eight talented artists show the international art world just what they are made of, as Nadia Arandjelovic reports.
A GROUP of North East artists is out to make a big impression in the Big Apple by showcasing work to worldwide collectors.
Gosforth-based gallery Opus has taken eight up-and-coming talents to Scope Art Show in New York where it is currently exposing them to the scrutiny of some of the industry’s top professionals.
Newcastle University graduate Karl de Vroomen, 27, and former Northumbria University student Alexandra McLain are joining others such as Spain’s Hector de Gregorio and New York’s own Crash (aka John Matos).
Opus managing director Don Smith said: “This week, everyone that collects is in New York. It’s ‘the’ week.
“It’s exciting because it’s another opportunity to take my artists to a new audience out there. And that’s what it’s about.
“That’s the exciting thing for me, to introduce a huge audience of inspectors, curators, to my eight artists. That’s my passion.”
They arrived on Wednesday, with Opus being one of just two UK galleries invited to take place in Scope – perhaps the largest and most global art fair in the world, which recognises innovative galleries, artists and curators.
Until tomorrow, serious collectors are able to visit close to 40 booths and learn about featured artists and the works they produce. This year Opus, which has been based in Gosforth, Newcastle, since 2005, is exclusively using live web cameras and a programme known as kounter kulture, to enhance its product.
This innovative technology will allow buyers to see the work as it is being produced, rather than just the final product, said Don.
The 49-year-old, who has participated in international shows in London and Miami and owned a gallery in Paris, believes shows like this allow Newcastle artists to compete on a global scale.
He said: “Scope is very prestigious and is invitation-only so you have to have a good exhibition programme behind you.
“You have to represent good artists, and they tell you which artists to take across and help you curate the booth as well.
“It’s good. We have worked hard to get ourselves in and now that we are in we just want to stay on track,” he said.
In addition to de Vroomen and McLain, graffiti artist Hush, formerly of Newcastle School of Art and Design, Charlotte Bracegirdle, Dan Baldwin and Lex Thomas, will also be showcased.
The gallery handpicked the line-up and believes each client brings something new and different to the trade show.
Many have only just graduated and Don says the trade show is exhausting work, with non-stop selling from noon-8pm each day.
To find out more, visit the websites www.opus-art.com or www.scope-art.com
