Urban Art Association

Hmmm , not sitting on the fence there then.

Edit - what press article are they referring to?

I think they mean all the work from their artists is 'secondary market' Matt... I also think something may have been said in the press about them being involved, hence the statement

I don't think Laz has much to gain but if I were in thier shoes I would issue a similar release as it's ABUNDANTLY clear why the vast majority most of that work is for sale as much of it is underwhelming. Maybe I'm unfamiliar with Dreweatts becsause of the distance but I've watched the auciton markets for some time and yet never once heard of them. I can't say I blame them for trying to generate revenues from a fast growing segement of the art market. By the same token, I certainly can appreciate why the premier gallery and source for much of the work in the movement is protecting their market share by issuing a polite F-you press release. I've seen some of this stuff offered incessantly on the for sale sections of the various websites and it looks to me like Dreweatts grabbed as much as they could to put this sale together.

That said, I do like that last lot and they obviously saved the best for last which is an ameteur auction move imo and just screams of trying to keep people interested until the end.

only been established for 250 years !

- obviously i have an interest as i have submitted two pieces to the sale, at the time i was told they were putting together a show case event for south-west art and artists , and would be taking the event to london as well as bristol ...
Seems like a good idea to me...

I got my catalogue this morning and it looks fantastic !! Really varied line up in both content , style and prices ...

So , i would really like to know why this sale is seen as an embarrasment !

I would imagine that this sort of problem is going to be far more prevalent with street art / street artists. As I see it the traditional relationship between gallery / collector / auction house is not respected as it normally would be, due to the ignorance of unspoken methods of working that do exist. You've got art by the likes of Faile, Banksy & Neate who have built their reputation from the street up, as a result you have a far broader collectors base, and one that is not familiar with the art world. Yet these artists are now going for far larger sums, and are being collected within the more recognisable contemporary art world. Couple this with the prolific output of Banksy & Neate (ovr 25,000 prints & Neate claiming to have left over 6000 street pieces) and you've got a new set of problems for these galleries to deal with.

Sorry know I waffled a bit but I hope my point hasn't been too lost

I agree with Matt. It's not embarrassing, it a wonderful opportunity for many people to share the work of some great artist!

I can't see a problem. This is street art for Gods sake. Sell and buy any way you want.

wonder if itll stop him from bidding on it too!

A travesty would be a gallery making further prints of an already sold out limited edition run, throwing some paint splatters on them and calling them hand finished.

i think this auction is really good. A wide range of art from many inspiring artists. fantastic.

As Choe commissions take 12 months plus, I'd imagine this too

>>>Lee if I am not mistaken, you say you sympathize with Laz but if I am not mistaken didn't you purchase a piece directly from Choe? Well, with the way many galleries that represents artists like Laz that would never happen and would go directly thru the gallery. So...not sure were you really would stand other than the control of money and control.
<<<

I've said my peace and there is no sense putting words in my mouth. I have not spoken with one person at Laz regarding this auction. I am simply stating the opinions I've had with numerous dealers over the years and none of them want to see their artists go to auction for obvious reasons. The galleries are the ones that pay for retail space and dedicate their time and effort to promote the artists. The galleries benefit from a long partnership with those they represent. It's a two way street and from my vantage point, an auction featuring works that are less than 2 years old isn't doing anyone any good save for the house and encouraging speculation. So, in answer to your question, I do sympathize with Laz and all the other dealers that represent artists in this auction.

As for my personal dealings with Choe, I reached out to him over a year and a half ago for a commission and have bought his work from both Levine and Laz. I do not try to circumvent the dealer system; rather, I respect it. Choe's website mentioned commissions at the time and I contacted him months before the Levine show inquiring for one. These things take a lot of time to complete as a commission isn't exactly at the top of the list of importance and I respect that as I'm not in a rush. To suggest that I was hurting Laz when neither they nor Levine represented him is ignorant. Just because I recently picked it up doesn't mean that I recently commissioned the work. Since his relationship has solidified with Laz, Choe himself has stopped with the commissions so he obviously respects it too. Oddly enough, I was in contact with the gallery this morning hoping to buy another of his paintings from them.

Dreweatts have been going for years and are very well known and respected in antiques circles and i have dealt with them plenty of times before.
They are a rapidly growing auction house and are simply trying to get into other things and keep up with everyone else in the 21st century. Isn't this what all businesses need to do if they don't want to sink?
I think by showing the works in several places they have come up with a brilliant marketing idea and are offering maximum exposure to the clients which can't be bad.
It's a risk for them too and you can bet they won't be making a great deal of profit from this first effort if any profit at all so the best of luck to them.
Maybe the works aren't all first rate but of course this is their first attempt and who in their right mind would put their best pieces up with an auction house who currently have no track record in this field.
Laz etc might be cheesed off because he's not invited to the party and he probably can't get in to stitch this one up.
By putting a statement out like this it's a very shrewd way of still gaining some publicity for himself for free so hats off to him in that respect.
He should be more worried about the consequences of his own actions on his artists after f**king Micallef right up the arse last year with his great ideas.