Art News
David Broker: What makes the Hotel Art Fair different from other art fairs, which, in my perception, have always been large international events which concentrate on the overseas market rather than a local market.
Christine Ploetz: Peter Bellas went to the Gramercy International Hotel Art Fair in New York and was impressed by its simplicity and accessibility. He was able to represent Brisbane artists with artwork packed in his excess baggage.
DB: How do you show work in a motel? Do you just lie around and wait for room service?
CP: That's a novel idea! In this situation one motel suite equals one gallery. The public can walk through and view the work. This Hotel Art Fair places more emphasis on smaller artworks that can be placed for viewing rather than hung. We also wanted to offer something different from what you might normally expect in the line of art in motels. The motel is allocating two floors for two days for contemporary artworks from galleries which are seldom in the same place at the same time. The other important point is that profits gained from organising the event will go towards a scholarship for a graduating artist.
DB: How do the dealers respond to the idea of a motel as a marketplace?
CP: Very positively. Many exciting galleries have confirmed from Australia and overseas. Initially some were dubious.
DB: Why were they dubious?
CP: Some dealers were not convinced that work could be viewed or sold properly in this venue.
DB: The motel doesn't seem to me to be a great venue for hanging... The rest of this article is available to subscribers of Eyeline