There is a lot of ‘Affordable Art’ going around right now. Now don’t get me wrong, you can (and certainly should!) hang anything you love on your walls, because a bare wall is a sorry sight indeed. But, for the sake of simply knowing what you’re paying for, it is worth noting the difference between a truly limited edition archival art print, and a poster.
Contemporary Editions is the newest contender in this arena, and they do have a distinctive point of difference. Founded by respected commercial gallerists Sophie Gannon and Jan Murphy, who between them have over 30 years experience in the art world, Contemporary Editions publishes reproductions of artworks by seriously notable Australian artists, including Margaret Olley, Kirra Jamison, Rhys Lee, Lara Merrett, Michael Muir and many more. Contemporary Editions reproductions are printed with archival pigment inks on the highest quality etching paper, in limited editions of just 25 prints. Once an edition is sold out, no more prints of that artwork will ever be published.
Though their impressive art world credentials certainly lend credibility to the offering, Contemporary Editions sits outside Sophie and Jan’s established commercial galleries – it publishes high quality fine art reproductions, it doesn’t represent artists. Nonetheless, each of the artists involved has been intimately involved in the publishing process, from artwork selection, to supervising colour quality, and signing and numbering each work.
For Sophie Gannon and Jan Murphy, this collaboration is a strategic response to shifts in the art market.
‘Jan and I have been talking about Contemporary Editions for a number of years, during which time we have noticed a growing interest in the arts on social media, in leading interior design magazines, and on television reality shows’ explains Sophie Gannon.
‘With a new type of client showing an interest in the fine arts, we felt that there was a gap in the market for quality works of art at a more accessible price’ Sophie explains. ‘It is our hope that the audience for Contemporary Editions end up as serious collectors in the future. And in the meantime they can enjoy the work of the best contemporary artists at an entry-level price.’
With many new artists waiting in the wings, Contemporary Editions will release new prints by different artists throughout the year. All works average approximately 120x100cm in size, and are priced at $1,100, with free delivery within Australia. Shop online here.
