For our final day of Art Toronto dealer polls, we decided to focus on geographical extremes—who came the furthest distance, who came the shortest distance, and who split the difference.
UCCA LIMITED EDITIONS, BEIJING – 10,611 KM FROM FAIR VENUE – (BOOTH 1303)
MAY XUE, CEO
Doing any art fair generally involves a large expense. Why did you choose to use your resources for a booth at Art Toronto?
As a part of Focus Asia from last year’s edition of Art Toronto, UCCA Limited Editions had a very positive experience and are hoping to continue the partnership with the fair into the future. We are excited to witness Art Toronto’s growth and development and are pleased to be a part of it.
In five words (or less) how would you describe your gallery’s interests or program?
To promote contemporary Chinese art.
What artists or artworks are you showing in your Art Toronto booth? Why?
We are showing a combination of prints and unique editions by top contemporary Chinese artists as well as a selection of original works by some very promising young Chinese artists. We believe that this can reflect a diverse and multi-faceted view of what’s going on in the Chinese art world.
What other art fairs do you show at?
In 2013, we’ve shown at the Armory Show, Art 13 London, Art Cologne, Art Basel Hong Kong, and Art Macau. We’ve also been at Art Miami, Art Stage Singapore, Art Tokyo, Art Taipei and Art Beijing.
As someone who is returning to the fair, how do you think Art Toronto could improve?
Given its current trajectory, we believe Art Toronto will continue to showcase strong international artworks and attract collectors and art lovers from around the world.
GALERIE RAPHAEL, FRANKFURT, GERMANY – 6,350 KM FROM FAIR VENUE – (BOOTH 400)
RAPHAEL PETROV, DIRECTOR
Doing any art fair generally involves a large expense. Why did you choose to use your resources for a booth at Art Toronto?
It seems like a good “entry point” for the whole North American market. We have been to the fair before, in 2007, and were quite pleased with the public interest, clients and organization of the fair.
In five words (or less) how would you describe your gallery’s interests or program?
Classic modern and post-war prints and multiples.
What artists or artworks are you showing in your Art Toronto booth? Why?
A selection of important prints by several major artists of the last 100 years. As a counterweight to the mostly contemporary art that is shown at the fair, and as a means of indicating how the predecessors of today’s artists influenced their work.
What other art fairs do you show at?
Art Paris, Art Karlsruhe, StArt and Arte Fiera Bologna.
Who would you say is your favourite artist that you do not represent?
Pierre Soulages maybe. Jenny Saville. There are so many.
RED HEAD GALLERY, TORONTO – 1.1 KM FROM FAIR VENUE – (BOOTH 944)
LYNN KELLY, MEMBER
Doing any art fair generally involves a large expense. Why did you choose to use your resources for a booth at Art Toronto?
We wanted the exposure for our member-driven gallery—both to Toronto’s art-buying public and to other galleries. By participating in Canada’s leading art fair we increase our viewer base and gain recognition by a new expanded audience.
In five words (or less) how would you describe your gallery’s interests or program?
Innovative cutting-edge work; a place where members can experiment and take chances.
What artists are you planning on showing in your Art Toronto booth? Why?
We are showing Gabrielle de MontMollin, Margie Kelk, Lynn Christine Kelly (i.e. myself) and Sally Thurlow. Between us we cover many mediums and ways of making work. Our concerns and philosophies also vary, giving a good overview of our membership.
What other art fairs do you show at?
We did this fair in 2011, but otherwise have not shown at other art fairs. Some members have done other fairs, such as Aqua Art Miami and the Artist Project Toronto. We have shown in other markets, though, including Mexico and Ottawa, and in 2014 we’ll be in Chicago.
Who would you say is your favourite artist that is not involved with your gallery?
Well I can only speak for myself here, not the group. And I think I have to give more than one name. I love the work of both Anslem Kiefer and Matthew Ritchie. For Canadians I think Marc Séguin and Melanie Authier. But it’s hard, really. There are a lot of great artists out there.
As a returning gallery, how do you think Art Toronto could improve?
They do a pretty good job. Very organized. It would be great if they brought back Sculpture Alley—an initiative where individual artists made large sculptural works down one avenue of the fair. That was great. And a coat room and coffee room/lounge for the exhibitors to use would be very helpful. More benches here and there for the public to sit down without having to find the cafe or a lounge would be great, too.
These responses have been edited and condensed. For daily updates on Art Toronto, visit canadianart.ca/arttoronto or see us at Booth 940 at the fair.
