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Exploring Art and Luxury Living with Alon Zakaim

BY Harvey Cyzer

London

Exploring Art and Luxury Living with Alon Zakaim

Curated by Oliver Bernard, Crafted for You

BY Harvey Cyzer

08th October 2024

As the art world converges on London for two of its most prestigious fairs—Frieze London, Frieze Masters and LAPADA Art & Antiques FairOliver Bernard Private is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the incredible artistic talent and galleries that define the heart of Mayfair. One such luminary is Alon Zakaim, a prominent figure in the art world and a close friend of our team. Here, Harvey Czyer, our Head of Private Office and long-time Mayfair resident sits down with him to chat through all things art, luxury living and Mayfair. 

As someone lucky enough to experience the very best that Mayfair has to offer for many years, it’s an absolute pleasure to share the inside track on one of its artistic gems: Alon Zakaim Fine Art Gallery. With Frieze London and LAPADA just around the corner, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in the cultural heart of our much-loved neighbourhood. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Alon for some time now, and his gallery, nestled on Cork Street, is a treasure trove of Impressionist, Modern, and Post-War masterpieces.

Alon’s impeccable taste and a keen eye for exceptional works have made his gallery a must-see for both seasoned collectors and those looking to explore. In our latest interview, I sat down with Alon to talk about all things art, Mayfair, and what makes this part of London the undisputed capital of the art market. 

Portrait of Alon courtesy of Alon Zakaim Fine Art Gallery

Portrait of Alon courtesy of Alon Zakaim Fine Art Gallery

Traditionally art collecting has been considered a form of investment. What role does art collecting play today? 

I think that it would be fair to say that art as an investment is still prevalent today. There may be subtle differences in the type of works that are being collected. For example, for the last twenty to thirty years, there was a massive shift towards collecting contemporary art, predominantly from emerging artists, and there appeared to be some huge gains made over very short time frames. I think that this part of the market has become more difficult to navigate of late and that we are seeing a return to slightly more established works or artists, both in the Post-War market and early twentieth century. 

What advice would you give to clients new to collecting art, especially when curating their first significant collection? How should they approach events like Frieze and LAPADA? 

I would recommend taking the time to research the artist(s), genre(s), and galleries that are of interest. Do not rush into any impulse purchases as a new collector – take your time, learn as much as you can about what you’re buying and what you would be happy to live with. In my experience, most new collectors tend to shed many of their initial purchases as their collection grows, their knowledge deepens, and their palette changes. There is no need to buy art in a rush. Try to find someone in the business that you completely trust and can guide you on quality and price. Remember to enjoy the process and always try to buy works of art that you simply cannot live without. 

What are currently the most valuable collecting fields ? Are there any emerging artists or movements our clients should be paying attention to? 

If we look solely in my field of Impressionist and Modern masters, I can tell you that the three major names are still van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso. They have been largely unaffected by market fluctuations or downturns. There are, of course, many other names that have outperformed the art market in general, perhaps such as Magritte and Basquiat. 

Looking ahead, how do you see the future of the fine art market, particularly in light of economic and technological changes?  

Overall, the art market will go from strength to strength. There are young people coming in on a daily basis who will form the future generation of collectors. Obviously, technological advancements will change the nature of how we do business, but fundamentally, they will be tools to enhance the collector’s experience and generally make collecting easier, with more information instantly available. 

What role do you think galleries like yours will play in this evolving landscape for our clients? 

I think, as always, galleries will be the cornerstone of this industry. Perhaps the way that people engage with galleries, or the way that galleries have to project themselves to the client will dramatically change, but essentially, our role remains the same. We are there to sell great works of art in our respective fields and to offer sound advice to our potential clients.  

After a day at Frieze or LAPADA, where would you recommend our clients go for dinner and drinks in Mayfair or Notting Hill? Any favorite spots?  

Absolutely, three of my favourites are La Petit Maison, Wiltons, and Scott’s. 

For exclusive updates on Mayfair‘s art, property, and bespoke travel offerings, be sure to sign up for our newsletter and stay ahead of all that’s happening in the heart of London. 

For Mayfair property enquiries, please reach out to Harvey Cyzer,  via email at harvey@obprivate.co.uk

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