“WEOPEN UP NEW WAYS TO EXPERIENCEART BY INVITING COLLECTORS, ARTISTS ANDCOLLABORATORS INTO A RELAXED SPACE”QWhat is the greatest
sacrifice you’ve made?
Never being able to switch off. But
the upside is that it doesn’t feel like
a job; it’s become my life and passion.
For a long time I was running
Partnership Editions alongside a
full-time job with an art dealer.
When I finally took the leap, I
couldn’t believe I’d put off starting
my own business for so long.QAndyour proudest
achievement?Watching four of our female artists
discuss the issue of the female gaze- reclaiming the female nude as
something empowered rather than
objectified in their work – in front of
a thoroughly transfixed audience of
150 people at the Royal Academy.
QHow do you choose
your artists?
I am drawn to those who can
combine technical skill, engaging
narrative and aesthetic immediacy.
I think the main thing that I am
attracted to is artists who have a clear
and authentic style. When an artist’s
style is recognisable as their own, I
think it demonstrates they are doing
something unique and exciting.QHow do you find the artists?
I spend hours trawling
through Instagram, finding myself
down rabbit holes. Instagram is a
great way to understand an artist’sprocess, as they often post video clips
and images of their studios. Degree
shows are another great resource.
Artists often introduce me to other
artists’ work and I also get about
10 applications a day to consider.QWhat is the most you’ve
spent on a piece of art?
Just under £1,000, but most
of the pieces I own are between
£200 and £600.QAnd your biggest
extravagance?
Art books – about everything from
the female nude and modern British
art to Matisse and Egon Schiele.QWhat’s next?
We’re launching a new section- The Collector – on the website to
showcase unique, original works for
clients looking for more substantial
pieces for their collection. Each
artwork is accompanied by narratives
exploring the inspiration and
influences behind the artist’s work,
providing insight into the creative
process as well as the intricacies of
the pieces themselves. The work can
be viewed by appointment in the
artist’s studio, with the Partnership
Editions team offering advice
on selecting art and curating a
collection. We also have two new
artists joining us in September:
Charlotte Edey and Lucy Auge.
■partnershipeditions.com
QCanyou tell us a little about
your background?
I worked at Christie’s straight from
university and then joined The
Auction Room. Two years ago,
I founded Partnership Editions,
an online platform of attainable
limited-edition pieces, with a mission
to take art beyond the traditional
gallery setting and into supper clubs,
pop-ups, talks and workshops.QHow would you sum
up your business?
Curated affordable art for all. We
aim to unearth accessibly priced
original artwork by some of today’s
most talented emerging artists.
Partnership Editions is essentially
a springboard for anyone looking to
start or enhance their art collection.
Since we began in 2017, the business
has evolved and we now deal with
editions and originals. As well as
promoting the 19 artists whose work
is sold through the platform, we
represent a small number of artists,
helping to propel their personal
growth. We also open up new ways to
experience art by avoiding what can
be an intimidating gallery setting.
We host panel discussions, artist-run
life-drawing events and supper clubs
that invite collectors, artists and
collaborators into a relaxed space.QWhat was your
light-bulb moment?
When friends started asking for
advice about where to go to buy their
first grown-up piece of art, but there
wasn’t anywhere I could recommend.
I realised there was a gap in the
market for selling art to people like
me, who want it in their homes ratherFE ATUREthan as investment pieces in a vault.
FIONA MCCARTHY AND LAURA VINDEN
PHOTOGRAPHSHARRY CROWDER; ALICIA WAITELIFESTYLE