Hello Kitty (or is it hell?)

The London Financial Times reports that China has overtaken France as a market for art sales. According to a nameless art critic: It is simply emblematic of the French decline. There hasn't been a brilliant French artist since the second world war. China claims 15 of the 35 artists worldwide who command seven-digit sales, and the country's artists have seen prices rise eight-fold in the past seven years… Continue

Posted on 10th April 2008 at 2:05pm —

Art with baggage in tow

I love Takashi Murakami and his art. The redeemed cosmopolitanism that curator and critic Dave Hickey highlighted in his Sante Fe Biennial back in 2001 was a fantastic catch-all for an artist who loves sheen, style, otaku and the baroque rendering of some kind of primordial icono… Continue

Posted on 7th April 2008 at 12:30pm —

Over-the-counter avant-garde

According to Estates Gazette, the real estate magazine, artist Damien Hirst is to open his first art shop in Marylebone, London. Known as Other Criteria, the store is to sell artwork, T-shirts, postcards, plates and books featuring the artist's work. The London Evenin… Continue

Posted on 6th April 2008 at 10:58pm — 2 Comments