Affordable art that's worth buying. Get industry professionals' tips on what’s coming up at auction. PLUS news, events, books, exhibitions and everything arts & culture.
👎The BBC hates art
Berlusconi's hoarding problem.
Silvio Berlusconi, the larger-than-life politician faced a laundry list of accusations. Tax evader, Mafia sympathizer and let's not forget those infamous "Bunga Bunga" parties. As it turns out, he also had a bit of a collecting problem.
What started as a refined passion spiralled into something closer to a frenzied addiction. According to one gallerist, he amassed a "sea of cheaper works" in his final years. The collection became so enormous that he had to buy a 3,200-square-foot warehouse to contain it all. By the time of his passing, the warehouse held an astonishing 24,000 works of art.
He always did embrace a 'more is more' philosophy.
ON THE MARKET
SIR ANTONY GORMLEY
Sensing
£6,000 - 8,000
Gormley is well known as one of Britain's leading artists. This work with the figure suspended in a warm ochre wash makes a great example of his drawing.
ANOUSKA HEMPEL
A pair of kilm upholstered armchairs
£700 - 1,000
A very cool pair of accent armchairs. These come from the personal collection of legendary designer Anouska Hempel. Handmade designer gear at a bargain price point. Have a pop.
DAVID BAILEY
Box of pin ups
£2,000 - 3,000
Bailey's iconic survey of the swinging sixties. It contains 36 prints of all the big movers and shakers of the era: Michael Caine, Lennon and McCartney, Jean Shrimpton etc. A great set that often makes £5k or more at auction. See if you can snap this one up cheap.
INFOGRAPHIC
The BBC hates art.
Here is a screenshot from the 22/23 Public Service Broadcasting expenditures. With a total content spend of over £3 billion, arts and music claimed a measly £39 million or 1.3% of spend. Its lowest spend by a margin of £50 million. Make sure you stay subscribed to keep the culture coming in!
SLEEPER
Bust of St. John the Baptist in limestone. Estimate: €15,000. Hammer price: €100,000!
This spectacular sculpture has been attributed to the artist Claus de Werve. Nephew, assistant and heir to Claus Slutter. Considered one of the most inventive artists of the late medieval period and an all-time great. A beauty.
SNIPPETS
✨New prints: Tate launch some new limited edition prints for sale.
🤖A. I: Wayfair launch the Decorify app, using generative A. I to help transform your home. Mixed early results.
📺Video tour: Miss the Summer Exhibition? Get a flavour with this 2-minute video tour.
🗿Artist talk: Watch the great Emily Young discuss her process and practice as a sculptor.
🇯🇵Thrifty: Tiny vase bought for £2.50 in U.K charity shop will go to auction with a £10k price tag.
🥃Rare drop: The world's most ultra rare 'one of one' whisky sale is coming back at Sotheby's.
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unBundle Art Newsletter
Affordable art that's worth buying. Get industry professionals' tips on what’s coming up at auction. PLUS news, events, books, exhibitions and everything arts & culture.
The Friday F.U.N Email (Factoid, Under 2k, Nuggets) Factoid: The Art Market is in a slump Fine art sales for the first half of the year were disappointing. The number of lots sold dropped by 4.8%, and the total value was just over $5B—a huge 29.5% decrease from 2023. But as they say, "Be greedy when others are fearful"—so let's head to the auctions! Under 2k: GEOFF UGLOW View of Edinburgh £1,500 - 2,000 Extra thick and textured! Uglow’s sculptural, Auerbach-esque painting technique piles on...
Hi everyone! It’s been a while, but I’m excited to be back in action. Bringing you some beautiful collectibles at lovely, low price points. And, of course, some fun finds from around the web. Please, share, reply and dive right in! 🧡 ON THE MARKET WILLIAM MCCANCE Reclining Giant, 1945 £300 - 500 There is an interesting selection of works on paper from the Estate of William McCance up for sale. This one’s a personal favourite—a later piece from when the artist was fascinated by prehistoric...
The Friday F.U.N Email (Factoid, Under 2k, Nugget) Factoid: Art is Good for Your Brain Ever wonder what's going on in your brain when you stare at a masterpiece? A new project is showing us how art impacts our minds in real time. The Art Fund commissioned the project in response to the statistic that around 40% of Brits visit a museum or gallery less than once a year, and 1 in 6 said art had no effect on them. The technology uses a slim, wireless headset. It presses sensors against the...