The art world can be an intimidating place. Merely stepping into a gallery, let alone asking for a price list, can be an unnerving experience, accompanied as it often is by the chilly stare of a too-cool gallery assistant. New BBC TV programme The Big Deal aims to take away the stigma from buying art and encourage more people to take a punt on the affordable end of the market. Seven pairs of “art novices” compete to find the contemporary equivalent of Tracey Emin or Sarah Lucas. It’s one take on demystifying the art market, as a glut of new books, events and businesses offer would-be collectors advice on the best avenues to pursue.
The Partnership Editions studio with works by Katarina Lalic, Lily Rose Fine and Phoebe Howard © Thea Løvstad
The contestants on The Big Deal are focused on turning a profit, but their starting point – the graduate shows – is universally accepted as a crucible for emerging talent. “If you are lucky you can strike gold,” says presenter Steph McGovern, citing a Damien Hirst that sold at his Goldsmiths exhibition for £600, and later fetched more than £1.3mn. The show’s art-world experts recommend the best art schools for determining upcoming artists. Dealer Cordelia de Freitas chooses the figurative paintings of Abi Joy Samuel, while curator Matt Carey-Williams selects the dreamy paintings of Jinhee Park, both of whom graduated from London’s Royal College of Art (RCA) this year.
