Hamptons Fine Art Fair: World-class Expo in Southampton
The Hamptons Fine Art Fair returns to the Elks Fairgrounds July 11-14, and promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a record 140 select galleries welcoming more than 10,000 guests over the four days. In fact, the Fine Art Fair is not only the top show on the East End – it’s one of the finest art fairs in the world, attracting collectors and exhibitors from around the globe.
Galleries and artists hail from 20 different countries, including Colombia, South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Albania, Argentina, Canada and Spain.
Top-tier art fair
“Think about it,” said the fair’s founder Rick Friedman “They’re coming to a little town like Southampton, a little regional show, from 20 different countries. There’s never been such an international breadth like this.” On display will be over 600 significant artists, both emerging and blue chip masters like Warhol, Basquiat, Joan Mitchell, Alex Katz and Ed Ruscha. Prices are for every budget, starting at $5,000 to what Friedman calls the “sweet spot” for paintings, $20-30,000, and others selling for hundreds of thousands and into the millions.
One of the fair’s new featured artists is Libby Klein, whose work is influenced by her Jewish heritage. Klein will show her paintings of Jerusalem and The Western Wall. She will also exhibit several of her signature family trees, including one of Britian’s royal family – depicting the lineage of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, Prince William and Princes Kate, and their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. clibbykleinart.om
Last year, the art fair generated $10 million in art transactions over four days, which Friedman noted is a lot for a small regional show. “I like to say it’s a regional show that buys like a national show.”
Sophisticated Hamptons collectors
It’s not simply the area’s wealth that makes the fair so attractive to international galleries. It’s a very sophisticated, educated, art savvy market. “We have a mindset here of openness, eager to discover new artists, internationally-focused, big thinking,” Friedman explained. That’s not the case in most other cities, said Friedman who has run art expos in many places including Houston, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Silicon Valley and Philadelphia. “In the Hamptons, our 10,000 guests are really prime candidates to buy and explore arts from all over the world.”
Highlights: Jewelry, Game of Thrones props, Nelson Mandela works
Highlights this year will include rare jewelry, wearable art and a 32-carat diamond from world-renowned jeweler Yvel. Hertiage Auctions, a sponsor, will display collectibles in many categories, from illustrations to sports to coins, plus a very exciting new category: movie props. They just got the rights from HBO to deal in Game of Thrones items. “They’ll be selling the costumes, the crowns, the thrones from that production,” Friedman said. “And that’s going to be with much fanfare.”
One gallery is bringing artworks created by Nelson Mandela when he was in prison.
London’s Omer Tiroche Gallery will display post-war art by the likes of de Kooning, Basquiat and more. “He’s never been in the Hamptons and we’re very pleased to show him.”
Splatter-art performance
Distinguished New York gallery Gary Snyder Fine Art opened a venue in Bozeman, Montana, and discovered an artist there, Ben Miller, whom they’ve dubbed the new Jackson Pollack because he flings the paint from 8 feet away onto canvas or plexiglass by fly casts used in fishing. He crosses the U.S., focusing on endangered waterways, and will do a live performance at the fair, on a large mural that will be auctioned off to benefit the South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center (SoFo.)
Hamptons Artists Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame honoring six Hamptons artists initiated last year is back. The concept is to amplify the careers of artists, many of whom are deceased, that may have been somewhat overlooked. “Many of these are artists that have been passed over in the ’50s, ’60, ’70s. We’re basically re-exploring their many accomplishments in what we call the major rediscovery.” One, Amy Zerner, one of America’s great tapestry artists, is still alive. She’s also a prolific author whose 50 books have sold 3 million copies. “Amy is quite distinguished, and not really a household name,” said Friedman.
Spotlight Artists
Another category, “spotlight artists,” focuses on artists from around the world exhibiting at the fair, highlighting their work and their different backgrounds. Amaranth Ehrenhalt, an abstract expressionist painter in the ‘50s, is one. “She did extraordinary work, and again, is under the radar. I think people will say, ‘Oh, my God,’ when they see her works.”
VIP opening benefits
The VIP opening on July 11 will have both an afternoon and an evening session to accommodate all who wish to attend and alleviate traffic problems from everyone arriving at the same time. VIP tickets are $200; the afternoon will benefit Guild Hall in East Hampton, and the evening portion will benefit the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill. “We’re excited to be able to donate money to those two important institutions,” Friedman said. Day passes cost $50.
White party; young collectors
On Friday evening is a young collectors party for those age 40 and under. On Saturday evening is a White party at which everyone is encouraged to wear white. “Come as a blank canvas, if you will. It’s summer fun here at the Hamptons.”
The 17-acre property will have two pavillions, the de Kooning and the Pollack, totalling 70,000 square-feet, with parking for 500 cars. A sculpture park will feature 12 pieces by prominent artists. There will be food trucks on-site, and two bars. “We want people to come for lunch or dinner and stay and enjoy the show.”
