Auckland Art Fair Director Jennifer Buckley says she was thrilled with the success of the event. “Many of our visitors left with bubble wrapped packages and galleries are very, very happy with sales and feedback.

Auckland Art Fair Director Jennifer Buckley says she was thrilled with the success of the event. “Many of our visitors left with bubble wrapped packages and galleries are very, very happy with sales and feedback.

"In an economic downturn, the art speculators tend to drop off, but collectors – with an eye on the bigger picture – continue to collect. Clearly nothing dispels a sense of economic gloom better than a little cultural investment.”

There was little sign of a financial crisis at Auckland Art Fair 2009 – in rain and shine, the Fair enjoyed three days of sales, smiles and queues attracting an estimated 12,000 visitors.

The third biennial Auckland Art Fair took place from May 1-3 at the Marine Events Centre, Viaduct Harbour with 38 leading Australasian galleries showing more than 600 artists, together with a sculpture court and commissioned installation by Joanna Langford.

Highlights of the event also included the highly successful gala Vernissage attended by 750 people, a sold-out keynote speech by economist and author of The $12 Million Stuffed Shark, Don Thompson and free public lectures.

A contingent of 40 collectors from Australia also attended the Fair and a number of significant New Zealand works will be travelling back across the Tasman with them. She said that the 10 Australian galleries at the Fair were all very happy and were already planning their stands for the 2011 event.

Jennifer added that a major new work by ex-pat Kiwi Daniel Von Sturmer, which was shown by Melbourne gallery Anna Schwartz Gallery, was bought by a New Zealand public collection. “So the Fair has also helped bring work by New Zealanders back to the country.”

Keynote speaker Don Thompson was very impressed by the Auckland Art Fair saying it was among the best in the world. “Last year there were 230 art fairs worldwide. This year, there are only 140. We’ve seen the demise of some major fairs like Moscow, but the Auckland Art Fair seems to be gathering momentum.”

“We were at the Toronto Art Fair earlier this year and while there was a lot of interest, there weren’t many sales. Here we’ve seen strong sales, which is great for the galleries and helps sustain the event.”

The Auckland Art Fair is presented by the NZ Contemporary Art Trust with the assistance of its Principal Sponsor, Hesketh Henry; Major Partners ANZ Private Bank and Staples Rodway; Founding Partners Auckland City Council, Heart of the City and Tourism Auckland; and with hospitality support from Mirvac Hotels and Kim Crawford Wines. www.aucklandartfair.co.nz