TWENTY YEARS OF TAKING CONTEMPORARY ART TO A WIDER MARKET

Original art in the country’s treasured museums is free to see – but you can’t walk away with a masterpiece. Whilst other major art shows charge for the opportunity to see and buy work from up and coming as well as established artists, ARTfutures remains the one exhibition where you can view for free and buy at leisure. 

Celebrating its 20^th anniversary show, ARTfutures took place from 31 March to 4 April at The City of London School just across The Thames from Tate Modern. ARTfutures brought together nearly 100 of the best contemporary artists in the country, be they recent graduates or those more established with collectors. Artists have to be invited to exhibit by the Contemporary Art Society’s selectors. Many have no formal representation and dealers for more established artists agree to keep commissions low at this event, making ARTfutures a must for anyone wanting to pick up an affordable contemporary classic. Opportunities for artists to sell their work are maximised as when a work is sold, it is replaced by another piece. 

Organised by the Contemporary Art Society (CAS), ARTfutures has an impressive track record of recognising emerging talent. The likes of Damien Hirst, Sam Taylor-Wood and Douglas Gordon are all past exhibitors who have gone on to great things. Gill Hedley, CAS Director, explains their philosophy: “CAS exists to help collectors and artists equally. Normally, we buy works of art for museums but for five days we turn the tables and help the general public to buy exciting work at a realistic price”. #

One of the main objectives of the exhibition is to encourage new collectors as well as those with established collections.  No matter what time they drop in, visitors can be assured of the very best advice as the selectors and other representatives from CAS are on hand at the exhibition to offer free and friendly guidance. There is no heavy sell, just a relaxed and informative atmosphere. Gill Hedley elaborates: “Of course we want to sell as much work as possible but we do welcome those who are just beginning to explore the idea of collecting contemporary work and need assurance that they are getting good advice as well as an introduction to a wide range of work.”  

click here for details of  Nominated Artists

“The most important date in the art calendar for the general art buyer and a hugely enjoyable event”  – Marjorie Allthorpe-Guyton, Director, Visual Arts, Arts Council

“ARTfutures makes it easier than ever to buy contemporary art in the most unpretentious of settings”  – Metro

“The event has something of a track record in talent spotting” – The Times

“You can bet CAS will have discovered the Turner nominees before the Tate has” – The Observer

l-r: Michael Craig-Martin 'Intimate Relations: Safety Pin', screenprint 120 x 99cm; Emi Avora 'Towards the end', acrylic on canvas 80 x 80cm; Jonathan Callan 'Bleed' mixed media 81x 62 x 11cm