Room with a viewing

As Glasgow's Art Fair comes to town, now anyone can own an piece of original art

LIKE driving fast cars and dressing in exclusive designs, purchasing works of art was once the preserve of the rich and famous. A sign of decadence and extravagance, investing in artwork wasn't exactly something most of us would put at the top of their "Things- To-Do" list. But since pop culture entered the mainstream and the final specks of elitism have been brushed from art's shiny new veneer, it's become apparent that paintings, drawings and sculpture are just as appealing to those at the bottom of the social ladder as those at the top. Now, in the second year of a new millennium, the sense of art as something inaccessible and intended only for a privileged few is surely as historic a phenomenon as cotton mills and horse-drawn carriages.

For a city that has long cherished a reputation for democracy and social equality, it seems only fitting that Glasgow should this year be celebrating its seventh annual Art Fair - the largest of its kind outside London. The Art Fair has grown in such stature since its inception that last year it recorded audiences of more than 15,000. With an emphasis on new ideas, showing experimental work by young artists, the Fair also favours traditional styles such representational art of landscapes . Its brief, in a nutshell, is to showcase works of art to as broad a spectrum of people as possible.

When the Art Fair began in 1996, it was intended to be part of Glasgow's bid to be UK City of Visual Arts. Although the bid failed, the idea for the Art Fair had taken hold and few were reluctant to let it go. Held in a custom-built pavilion in the city's George Square every spring - theories are that this is the time of year people revamp their homes and might be looking for something different to brighten up a domestic space - it has become a fixed point on every art gallery's calendar.

This year, the featured exhibition within the pavilion will be a first-time ever joint project between the Centre for Contemporary Arts and the Tramway, featuring work by both Scottish and international artists like Sally Osborn, David Sherry, The Icelandic Love Corporation and Calum Stirling. Galleries from as far afield as London (the Clapham Art Gallery), Leeds (Bruton Gallery), Inverness (Art TM), Aberfoyle (Green Gallery), Castle Douglas (Greenhouse), East Lothian (Stenton Gallery), Edinburgh (Open Eye Gallery, The Scottish Gallery) and Glasgow (Compass Gallery, Roger Billcliffe, Street Level Artworks) will be showcasing their wares at an event that can net each gallery thousands of pounds.

According to Pete Irvine, Art Fair director and director of UZ Events, submissions from art galleries around the country are considered by a selection panel for their quality of work, range of styles and media and to reflect the geographical spread of the organisations which apply. More than that, he stresses, this year is a year to emphasise the collaborative nature of the Fair. CCA and Tramway's joint exhibition also links into RAW, the Real Arts Weekend which is a pan-city initiative, allowing seven visual arts spaces to collaborate for the first time. Over the five days, the Arches, CCA, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Glasgow Art Fair, the Glasgow School of Art, the Lighthouse and the Tramway will be joining forces to provide a range of exhibitions which include audio and visual work, installations and collections of life-drawing across the city.

It is this new sense of collaboration that sets this year's Art Fair apart from previous years. But one thing that hasn't changed is the accessibility of the art on offer. For those with a mind to invest, prices range from under (pounds) 100 through to around (pounds) 10,000 for an original John Bellany. "If nothing else, it's just a great day out," enthuses Pete Irvine. "And whether or not you've bought art before this is an informative, no-pressure environment in which to view some of the best contemporary art in Scotland."

So put your hand in your pocket and invest in something that lifts your heart, makes your home brighter, lasts longer, and who knows, might even make you a little money one day The Glasgow Art Fair, George Square, runs from April 11-14. Call 0141 553 1937 or log on to: www.glasgowartfair.com What you can get for your money at the 2002 Glasgow Art Fair (pounds) 100 and under Ashley Cook John McKenchnie Christine Borland John Byrne Elizabeth Blackadder Adrian Wisniewski Ken Currie and a range of other artists from the Glasgow Print Studio; prices start at (pounds) 80 (pounds) 500 and under David McKernan's Space Invader 20 (pounds) 200 Nawfal Salman Ferdinand (pounds) 275 Stefanie Dees George Square (pounds) 475 Amanda Webster Dog (pounds) 500 (pictured bottom right on page 17) Ray Richardson London Calling (pounds) 450 Craigie Aitchison Garden in Moonlight (pounds) 500 (pictured middle right on page 17) Craigie Aitchison Montecastelli Tree (pounds) 500 (pounds) 1000 and under Ray Richardson Wildwood (pounds) 600 Alison McGill Segment of a Landscape (pounds) 700 Denise Findlay Pony Tail (pounds) 525 (pounds) 3000 and under Dan McDermott Cars (pounds) 3000 (pictured below) Dan McDermott Shadow (pounds) 3000 crazy rich people John Bellany, John Byrne (left), James Morrison, W Barns Graham, Adrian Wisnieweski anything up to (pounds) 14000

Copyright 2002
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