The Art of Discernment

As Oscar Wilde once suggested: "knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing", is far from the be-all and end-all. The global art circuit is abuzz with much-lauded exhibitions for collectors, yet great treasures can be found at more intimate fairs, where artists present capsule collections, and field questions from visitors. We look at two events that warrant the detour for art lovers looking to start or complete their archives from an eclectic mix of styles.

Mayfair Art Weekend, London
29th June – 1st July

If you're in London between Friday 29th June and Sunday 1st July, you could while away a few hours at Mayfair Art Weekend, all across Mayfair and St. James. This, the event's fifth annual edition, also coincides with the landmark 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy of Arts, and since the RA unveiled its major redevelopment of Burlington Gardens and the Cork Street gallery district was transformed, Mayfair Art Weekend showcases the neighbourhood's rich cultural heritage, and proves it's one of the world's healthiest art quarters.

In addition to this year's partnership with the Royal Academy of Arts, there will be more than 35 galleries opening their doors to the public, but it won't all be about big names, as there are some worthy not-for-profit outfits showing too. Expect a quality range of everything from Old Masters to contemporary art, along with auction houses and artists displaying their most thought-provoking pieces.


Highlights include:

A VIP event at Max Mara, Saturday 30th June, 11am - 12:30pm when you can join Whitechapel Gallery director, Iwona Blazwick for a talk on the history of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women. The event is free but capacity is limited and invitation-only. There are currently a handful of spaces available for Quintessentially guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

Brown's Hotel presents a Mayfair Art Tour, Saturday 30th June, 10.30am - 3pm. £85 per person. A contemporary art tour to visit three leading Mayfair galleries, hosted by Maeve Doyle, and followed by lunch at Beck at Brown's.

STREETXO presents a Mayfair Art Tour, Saturday 30th June, 10am - 3pm. £90 per person. A contemporary art tour, hosted by John Martin, to visit three leading Mayfair galleries, followed by a seven-course lunch at STREETXO.

The Ritz Hotel presents a VIP Art Experience, The Art of Piccadilly, hosted by Anna Brady, Art Market Editor of The Art Newspaper, with Champagne Afternoon Tea at The Ritz on Sunday 1st July, 10am - 3pm. £250 per person, with talks at Stern Pissarro Gallery, a highlights tour of The Summer Exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts and a behind-the-scenes experience to discover the art in Fortnum & Mason.

Long Artists' Lunch at Burlington Gardens, Sunday 1st July, 12 - 5pm. An afternoon of food, art and lively conversation. Hosted by British artist, and Royal Academician, Bob and Roberta Smith, the lunch will be served on a 15-metre long surrealist art themed tablescape, designed by artist duo Philip and Charlotte Colbert. Visitors can sit on lobster chairs and marvel at the eccentric table settings, during an afternoon of artist-led discussions, performances and interventions. Guests are welcome to drop in and enjoy Italian tapas, courtesy of Company of Cooks.


Market Art + Design
5th – 8th July

The Bridgehampton Museum, 2368 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, NY

Readers stateside may fancy a trip to Long Island's Hamptons for the eighth edition of Market Art + Design this summer. The Hamptons' art fair season had been in danger of becoming over-cooked with a glut of events over the past years, but things have been pared back. Enthusiasts can now zero in on Market Art + Design for exciting examples of contemporary international art works from galleries and dealers across the US and worldwide. The event's director Max Fishko expects to see larger crowds than ever - up to 15,000 hip and cool visitors by all accounts - flocking to view more than 65 galleries.

First-time exhibitors include the Adelson Galleries Boston/New York, the Nashville-based Red Arrow Gallery - known for encouraging new artists to take risks and experiment with their creations, and The Tripoli Gallery, in nearby Southampton. Tripoli Patterson, surfer and owner of the Southampton-based gallery, was inspired to show this year, thanks to his friendship with Max Fishko, but also to promote the work of his younger brother, the rapper, virtual artist and emoji portraitist Yung Jake.

Market Art + Design is largely seen as an antidote to the usual round of photo opportunity events in this field. So for a breath of fresh air, lively debate and some surprising artworks, this could be just the ticket.

For pointed expertise and guidance on these and other art events worldwide, please contact [email protected]