AFR: Art fair sales point to young artists on the rise

By Gabriella Coslovich

After a three-year hiatus, Sydney Contemporary made a triumphant return with almost 29,000 people streaming through Carriageworks over the five-day fair that ended on Sunday.

Sydney’s National Art School had the only stall at Sydney Contemporary featuring artists yet to be represented by a gallery. The school exhibited the work of eight recent graduates –Arash Chehelnabi, Susie Choi, Brydie Greedy, Charlie Komsic, Dylan Newling, TC Overson, Onrie Radovic and Greg Stanford – and the response was phenomenal. Each of the artists sold at least one work, with many selling multiple works. Susie Choi’s ceramic creations had sold out by the first afternoon of the fair, compelling her to bring in more work, which also sold out. On opening night, NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts and Regional Youth, Ben Franklin, bought Greg Stanford’s glowing abstract print, L-III, 2022, for the reasonable price of $600. The costs of these emerging artists’ works are accessible, but the quality is high, the result of three years (Bachelor of Fine Art) or five years (Master of Fine Art) study.

Image: Greg Stanford, L-III, 2022, sold for $600 at Sydney Contemporary