A REVIEW OF THE SAN FRANCISCO TRIBAL ART SHOW
FEB 13th-15th 2009
In general, the show is more beneficial to the customers than the dealers since there is so much under one roof and comparisons on quality and price can be easily made. It was rumored that the dealers who sold the best were not even in the show. They decided to exhibited privately in their homes and galleries, like Dave DeRoche and David Rosenthal. This year Bob Dowling, Peter Boyd and Michael Rhodes choose not to do the show but instead offered an enjoyable exhibit of mostly African material in Bob's House. It was well organized and they all sold well. This goes back to my fruit vendor analogy... You've got to wonder!
Most every year I mention how problematic and political the "vetting" of art is at the show. Its repetitive and this year was no exception. Participating Dealers should NOT be vetting other participating dealer's material. It is a Glaring conflict of Interest. Fear of being barred from the show keeps most dealers silent even though a majority feel it is not a fair practice. One dealer reportedly walked into a booth during the vetting process and without even picking up the object pointed to it and exclaimed "THAT'S OUT!". He was later embarrassed to discovered, that it was a piece he had previously sold!!!!
Petty Haggling: I spoke with many collectors and dealers who were at the show before writing this review. Some dealers were experiencing unprecedented petty haggling from buyers, who after showing considerable interest during the show, would finally offer HALF of the asking price!! This unsavory tactic rankled a lot of us especially when we had already made our prices as reasonable as possible. It seemed as if buyers had a "foreclosure" mentality. Art is generally bought with discretionary income, is not leveraged and auction prices remain strong. So just as we're being fair on price, customers need to be fair as well to help maintain good relations going forward in this evolving market reality.
Having said that I would like to add that out of hardship golden opportunities are born. For those who have the means, confidence and foresight to buy, it couldn't be a better time. Great art, especially with solid provenance, will always be in demand. Owning such a piece can bring you immeasurable joy, will never be worth zero and you need not lose sleep worrying about down ticks. Over time the economy will improve and this window of opportunity won't remain open long.
Festival Pavilion, overhead view of the 50,000 square feet of dealer exhibits
James Stephenson next to a lovely Zaramo Zither from Tanzania
Vicki Shiba
James Willis had this curious anthropomorphic vessel from E. African
Kevin Conru
Kevin Conru: This exquisite early 19th century Solomon Island female figure was one of my favorite pieces in the show
Erik Farrow
Alain Naoum with an expressive an ancient Nigerian Ekoi Head
Alain Naoum
Joel Cooner's gorgeous designed booth
Joel had this very fine Batak Pagar guardian figure from Sumatra
Left to Right Lucien Van de Velde, Frank Van Craen and Charles Hourde' striking a pose
Ramona Morris and son Justin had a successful show
CMG Books was continuously selling, having an appealing inventory.
Cavin-Morris Gallery with contemporary masks, ceramics, paintings and drawings
Thomas Murray
Thomas Murray: large Batak Pagar figure
Charles Hourde' Paris, exhibiting for the first time in San Francisco
Jack Sadovnic holding a Masterpiece New Guinea Ramu amulet mask. I asked him the price twice but he just smiled. I'm note sure if he was willing to part with it? He was happy that day because he sold a New Caledonian Roof Spire
Sadovnic with an unusual Dayak Shaman's paraphernalia container (Borneo) with erotic figures
Joaquin Pecci
Pecci with an early stone-carved PNG middle Sepik hook figure
B.C. Dentan featuring a Mayan terracotta head
Chester Dentan used the most attractive stone-like panels for his backdrop
Brant Mackley's booth, Craig De Lora (left)
Primary Source with a fine pair of Tau tau figures from the Toraja people of Sulawesi
We end with a toast from Clive Loveless
The clouds have lifted and things are already looking up
Photo courtesy of Clive Loveless (Financial District- Transamerica Pyramid)
