Art+Object Managing Director Hamish Coney will give an insider’s guide to the New Zealand art market at TheNewDowse this week, in connection with the exhibition 'Thrill Me Every Day' The Celia Dunlop Collection. 

Coney will talk about the ‘Ins and Outs of the Art Market’ -

 what to look for when buying art, what to avoid and what to sell your first-born for. 

In this Q&A he says building a collection - whether it is art, toys, Crown Lynn ceramics or historic photographs - is a great way to understand your universe… and get to meet some other like-minded souls.

"I think as the barrage of information we now have to contend with is so driven with what can be only described as very low grade ore for the human soul there is an increasing desire for the contemplative life."

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Usually any time I see something amazing or have a chat with someone fascinating. Otherwise frequently driving in the car listening the fine sounds of Young Scotland – Associates, Orange Juice, Josef K

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Dress wise blissfully style free – art wise catholic, chaotic and all the about the big idea!!

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Writing about interesting artists – seeing exciting new work and occasionally adding something fab to our collection – our last purchase was an Andrew Barber canvas.

How does your environment affect your work?
I try to be inspired by the good stuff and oblivious to the bad stuff.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
Both – the wood and the trees

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Planning and having a vision for how you use your time + being available for the odd every day miracle!

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Two – founding ART+OBJECT and winning Qantas Media Awards arts Columnist in 2008 – totally unexpected but quite a thrill… I also get fiendish pleasure killing gorse and recommend it to everyone.

Tell us about Art+Object and your role as Managing Director.

ART+OBJECT is New Zealand’s first new auction house in 30 years. We founded in early 2007 and our focus is contemporary and modern art and specialist categories such as photography, object or applied art, 20th Century design and major private collection sales. A+O also has a very active valuation division and we focus primarily on institutional and museum valuation and advisory and private collections. There are four founding directors of the company who bring over 60 years industry experience and qualifications to the company and our clients.

Perhaps the nicest compliment we have had was a senior public gallery curator who described our contemporary catalogues and pre-auction exhibitions as being similar to a public gallery survey show.

My role is three fold. Managing the business on a commercial level which as all knows is really lots of paperwork, marketing and working with Ben Plumbly our director of art to source and present artworks in our catalogues. We spend a lot of time debating the composition of these catalogues and this includes commissioning essays from writers for major works and the design and presentation of the catalogues – we are fortunate to receive continuous and ongoing feedback from our clients and subscribers so we are always looking for little improvements at all times. Our goal is for the arrival of an A+O catalogue in the post to be a much anticipated moment for our customers.

We all have our individual passions and apart from art mine is rare toys. We have a fabulous collection of toys coming up in August so I am constantly spruiking this catalogue.

What should you look for when buying art?

I can’t give one piece of advice on this topic. It is like falling in love – you just know!

What should you avoid?

 Cliche, plagiarism and lack of care. The hallmark of a great artwork is the care the artist has taken, no matter how this manifests itself.

What impact, in your view, is the current economic climate having on the sale of art in New Zealand now? 

Current economic impact? I’m happy to say the credit crunch tsunami has not washed over us yet. It may do yet but I believe great art acquires its cultural value over time and the ‘moment’ does not deter the genuine collector – however on a business level we are being very wary about expenditure. The one thing we will not skimp on is our catalogues – we must do the work justice.

What are some of the other challenges?

Most of these are logistical: keeping our systems well oiled and our customer service levels high. We are in a challenging competitive environment but who isn’t?

What are your hopes and passions for the future?

That A+O can play a leading role in converting young tentative collectors into dedicated, thoughtful contributors to our extraordinary visual culture. Sometimes I feel like a bit of a preacher. The collecting life is a great life so stand by to be converted if you walk into A+O!

Why do you think there has been a return to collecting as a hobby?

Because it is real and is about learning at your own pace. I think as the barrage of information we now have to contend with is so driven with what can be only described as very low grade ore for the human soul there is an increasing desire for the contemplative life. Another sign of this is that more people are reading and searching for cultural meaning. Building a collection whether it is art, toys, Crown Lynn ceramics or historic photographs is a great way to understand your universe… and get to meet some other like-minded souls. I love talking to all sorts of collectors about why they collect and why they have chosen a particular genre. Without fail I discover it is because their chosen subject is very close to their hearts and perhaps has been passed down by a parent or grandparent. I also find collectors are generous with their knowledge and love to share – make new converts – so I am always learning.

Maybe the reason collecting is going through a resurgence is that the past is more interesting than the future??

Who or what has inspired you recently?
My wife the artist Sarah Smuts-Kennedy is always courageously expanding her art practice and I think her work is on the money and in the moment regarding current environmental issues – she has her first solo show coming up in Melbourne July (at Sophie Gannon Gallery) I am very proud of her.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
A chef – I love cooking and think it would be a great career to bring so much happiness to so many people. Alternatively a tour guide in Baroque Rome would be pretty good as a day job

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
I love Italy and am always daydreaming of places I have been to and would like to visit – Bologna is my pick for the best city in the world

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
At a party I only dimly remember the next day

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A string instrument

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Kill Gorse

What's great about today?
The potential for sunshine – I am an optimist

What’s your big idea for 2009?
Try a little tenderness – caring for those you love is an oldie but a goodie… except for gorse.

More information

Hamish Coney is a degree qualified art historian who has worked in recent years as a private client consultant and a writer on art and architecture for magazines such as URBIS, Architecture NZ, FQ Men, Herald on Sunday and Idealog. He was also the writer of a regular column on the auction scene for Art News. Hamish works closely with Ben Plumbly in the art sector as well as managing the day-to-day operations of the company.

In 2005 he managed New Zealand's largest ever charity art auction for The Louise Perkins Foundation and curated an exhibition of contemporary Australian art for Anna Bibby Gallery.
He is a collector of contemporary New Zealand and Australian art.
Art+Object

Ins and Outs of the Art Market with Hamish Coney
Thursday 18 June 6pm | TheNewDowse, 45 Laings Road Lower Hutt |

Numbers Limited | BOOKING REQUIRED
General Public $10 | TheNewDowse Friends FREE
E newdowsebookings@huttcity.govt.nz
T (04) 560 1470

'Thrill Me Every Day' The Celia Dunlop Collection
2 May - 13 September 2009