Buoyant Art Market?

"Record prices as collectors brush off market crisis" (FT 10/05/08)

The FT reported today that "Art collectors this week shrugged off the US economic downturn and global financial turmoil to buy solidly at the big New York auctions".

Maybe the growing uncertainty surrounding the banking sector and increasing inflationary pressure is encouraging some of the wealthiest in society to turn to the art market as a haven from the fluctations and concerns in the more traditional financial markets.

One of the star lots to sell at Sotheby's this week was Edvard Munch's 1902 "Girls on a Bridge" which sold for $30.8m. The FT reported that is was sold by founder of DFS furniture, Graham Kirkham, who apparently purchased it in 1996 for $7.2m. A sound investment indeed, especially as it was sold previously at auction in 1980 for $2.8m.

Other pieces under the hammer this week included Claude Monet's "Railroad at Argentuil" which sold for $41.4m and a Picasso sculpture, "The Crane" which achieved $19.1m.

The FT report also outlined the art market investment return, comparing the performance of the Post War and Contemporary sector against the Old Masters sector. This analysis showed a clear divergence since around 2000 with Post War and Contemporary surging ahead to outperform it's counterpart (source - http://www.artasanasset.com).

Maybe there is still hope for us all as finding the next big contemporary artist may be easier than finding an affordable Old Master paintings?

Northern Artist Exhibition - 3rd to 11th May

Wendy Corbett Personal Appearance

Wendy Corbett will be making a personal appearance at Hepplestone Fine Art in Lancashire on Saturday 3rd May to launch the start of the week long Northern Artist Exhibition.

Midlands born Wendy Corbett now works from her studio in Lancashire creating exquisite pastel seascape and wildlife paintings that have made her a favourite with collectors throughout the UK and beyond.







Original Pastel Seascapes by Wendy Corbett

The artists work is now published as limited edition prints by leading UK publisher Washington Green with original paintings also widely collected and sought after.

The exhibition will feature a number of Wendy's original pastel seascapes along with a selection of her limited edition prints. Wendy will be available to meet collectors from 12noon - 4.00pm on Saturday 3rd with the exhibition continuing until Sunday 11th May.

Other artists included in the exhibition will include Theodore Major, Lawrence Isherwood, Toni Hargreaves, Barry Hilton, Margaret Hughlock, Peter Knox and many others.













Original Paintings by Peter Knox and Margaret Hughlock.

Barry Hilton Oil on Canvas

The exhibition will be held at Hepplestone Fine Art, 4 The Carrington Centre, Eccleston, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 5UP. Full details can be obtained at www.hepplestonefineart.com or by contacting the gallery on 01257 451121 or sales@hepplestonefineart.com

Sculptor Alan Glasby dies Aged 62

It is with great sadness that we have to mark the passing of great sculptor Alan Glasby OBE.

Alan died at the age of 62 having led a full life including being awarded an OBE along with the George medal for gallantry & bomb disposal services. He also won two national championships and a team gold medal for shooting whilst in the British Army.

He began a career as a wildlife sculptor in 1988 since which time he has sculpted for the RSPB, had work commissioned for the Queen's Golden Jubilee and had a piece presented to the Sultan of Oman by Prince Andrew.

His work is now collected worldwide and can be found in many private collections.

Alan Glasby will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him but his legacy will live on in the beautiful timeless sculpture he created.

Todd White Scandalous Collection

The latest collection of limited edition prints by hit US artist Todd White are now available!

From an edition of only 95 each, they are not likely to be around for long and include some of his strongest images to date. The collection includes two embellished canvas editions, Cami and Beneath it All, along with four limited edition prints on paper.

Cami & Beneath It All by Todd White

In Over Their Heads & Boys Don't Tell

All Lit Up Again by Todd White

If I Didn't Laugh I'd Cry

The new collection can be ordered online at http://www.hepplestonefineart.com/ or by contacting the gallery on 01257 451121.

Demand for Todd White original paintings continues to be very strong with paintings selling regularly in excess of $100,000 each. Hepplestone Fine Art are currently very privileged to have rare Todd White originals available in the UK details of which can be obtained by contacting sales@hepplestonefineart.com or calling 01257 451121.

Salvador Dali Exhibition

Saturday 10th - Saturday 17th November 2007

A rare opportunity in the UK to experience the works of surrealist master Salvador Dali.

For one week during November, Hepplestone Fine Art will be hosting an exhibition of Dali works including six limited edition prints along with nine fabulous bronze sculptures. All of the works on display will be available to view and to purchase from the gallery.

Salvador Dali was one of the greatest Spanish painters of all time, and one of the most important figures in the history of the modern art movement. Both Dali's extraordinary talent and eccentric personality helped him to rise above the rest of the twentieth century surrealist. Almost twenty years after his death in 1989, Dali's popularity remains strong throughout the world assuring his place at the pinnacle of modern art history with the likes of Picasso, Matisse and Chagall.

For further information about the exhibition, contact Hepplestone Fine Art on 01257 451121 or email at sales@hepplestonefineart.com

Beatles A Mad Day Out by Tom Murray

Tom Murray is a widely acclaimed photographer whose work encompasses a broad range of subjects, including many international celebrities and iconic figures.

Most notably Tom is renowned for his photography of The Beatles, from the now legendary Mad Day Out photoshoot around London in July 1968. His portraits of the Fab Four are considered as some of the most important images of the group.

In the summer of 1968, Tom Murray was asked by a colleague to assist in a day long photoshoot capturing a band. Tom arrived at the pre arranged location, unaware of who the band were going to be, only to hear Lady Madonna playing from inside the room. Upon entering, Paul McCartney was playing the piano, Ringo and George Harrison were drinking tea, and John Lennon was sat in the corner with Yoko Ono. Tom asked, "Is this the band?".

Amazingly, as Tom Murray was not the lead photographer on the day, he printed the photographs and placed them in a draw. Almost 40 years later, the previously unseen images have been valued by Christies at $2.3 million and have now been released for the first time as limited edition prints of only 195.

The first eight images will be exhibited at Hepplestone Fine Art on Saturday 20th October and are also available to order online at http://www.hepplestonefineart.com/



George

Edition of 195








Scene from the Thames I

Edition of 195







Water Water Everywhere

Edition of 195






Flower Power II

Edition of 195






Paul

Edition of 195






The Docks

Edition of 195






Ready Set Go

Edition of 195







Scene from the Thames I

Edition of 195




Availability of the images is strictly limited. Pieces can be ordered online by clicking on the image titles or by contacting Hepplestone Fine Art on 01257 451121.

US Todd White Editions Available in the UK

Todd White's fabulous American limited edition prints are now available in the UK from Hepplestone Fine Art.

Previously only a limited number of Todd White's paintings had been released as limited edition prints in the UK, with his back catalogue available only in the US. With most collectors only looking to purchase individual pieces, the cost of shipping and tax from the US made purchasing from the US expensive and complex for UK collectors. Now Hepplestone Fine Art stock a number of Todd White's US editions making it cost effective and straight forward for UK collectors.




Piano Bar by Todd White

Embellished Giclee on Canvas








Jimmyleg Tango by Todd White

Giclee on Canvas






Three Sheets by Todd White

Giclee on Canvas







Cosmopolitan by Todd White

Giclee on Canvas











Girl Party by Todd White

Giclee on Canvas

Very Dirty Martini by Todd White

Giclee on Paper

Downward Spiral by Todd White

Giclee on Canvas

For full details on each piece click on the title or visit http://www.hepplestonefineart.com/