Interview with Ukrainian art dealer Igor Abramovich

[Anna Bezoo]

Well-known Ukrainian art dealer Igor Abramovich, open and sociable person, pleasant companion, and a successful entrepreneur told Tripwriter about their activities, travel, books, which reads and about Ukrainian art market.

On the art business
In the art business, I have since 1999. Prior to this a long time engaged in cargo transportation, and in 16 years, started his recording studio, in this age group first became acquainted with the law, the tax. First, carrying pictures of Kiev, drove to Moscow, he began to talk with the artists - Tistol, Gnilitsky, Krivolapov, Matsenko, poppies, Tsagolov, made friends with them, it all started. I realized that it was - my, it's a calling, I have to live without it I can not.

Читать дальше... 

To be successful in the art business need is love. I like to chat with the artists and what they do like to take their philosophy, the concept of a painting. In any business the most important thing - it's dating, socializing. Man thinks one is planning a second, and it turns everything through the third.

The art market is in its infancy with us, and now works at 20-30%. We have a tendency in Ukraine, as such, is still very weak. System of art dealers and galleries we have quite a bit and have not yet literate enough action and investment.

Yesterday was the closing of the Biennale - super! Thanks to the director of Arsenal Natalia Zabolotnaya our country has a real international calling. We have art, there are grounds. We have shown that we can play together and exhibit abroad. We have what to buy, we have a story. For example: Malevich was born in Kiev. Tistol, Savadov Tsaogolov, Krivolap, Chichkan, Zhivotkov, Macs, Klimenko, Roitburd, Skugareva - these names are already on the ears in the West.

Now people are starting to realize that buying art, investing in it - it is fashionable. It's not gold, not stocks, and creativity, which you can admire, show your friends. The Ukrainian auctions are sold 30-35%of the art is average, but for us it's okay, because everything is just beginning. Therefore, the Ukrainian art business, everything is transparent.

The crisis on our business is not affected. In the crisis of smart people who have money are beginning to think differently, and they continue to buy art. If you look at global statistics auction it becomes clear that the level of sales is only growing. China, Russia, USA, UAE - in these countries, most people who buy things luxury, investing in art.

About Travel
My life - it is constantly moving, meet new people. I love to travel, many traveled by car. This is a separate art form. A man who loves to travel, love life, always looking for something new. I can not sit still. Most of all I love historical places and museums in Europe. Really like Madrid, but most of all - London, United Kingdom - this is my country, though he lived there in a past life. Yet every trip to the Crimea inspires, and resorts in Turkey, Egypt, UAE, is also good. India was in Goa, I would like to have in the Himalayas. Actually, it all depends on the company, from the environment. We're going with friends from Moscow, St. Petersburg, England, Germany and go somewhere, often on the machines. When you see how other people live in different countries, I want a different way to live and work. Travel brings new emotions, and that is that you can not get sitting at home.

About projects and training
The work takes time. I do large projects. Among them, the exhibition "20 years of presence", dedicated to 20th anniversary of Ukraine's independence and the parallel program Biennale Arsenale I did in Kharkov "Yermilov center." For each of the projects takes about 7-8 months. Now in conjunction with the fund Stedley Art Foundation are negotiating to a slice of the Ukrainian artists to show in Switzerland, London, Moscow, New York. When you're in the process, you can not stop. Now I'm still learning on the art of our Kiev Academy, I was interested to hear of the old teachers, devotees of classical art. I showed them a few projects of contemporary art and I like that they understand them. When properly explained, they begin to treat with great interest to contemporary art. Listen to them very interesting. I also finished the 45-day course of an art dealer Shristies. At work I spend a lot of time in the artists' studios. Many leading the negotiations. As project manager I have to control everything - from the selection of works to the layouts directory.
I form the taste, consult people who take my them with artists. I'm curious not to sell, and do projects that combine art under the same project, and show that we have in Ukraine is a worthy art.

On the prospects of artists
With an artist should talk, look, that in his mind what his plans are. Only through communication with the person can understand what his plans are. To promote the artist, it is necessary first of all exhibited in the landmark places known to invite curators, art historians.

My number 1 goal - to show that the Ukrainians the strongest school of painting. She was and will be. I am a lot abroad and compare paintings. Clear to me that they have more play the role of trends, commerce. We have more than the art of peace.

On reading the
I love books and am careful to the quality of printing. I read mostly books about art and artists. Benaminova Stella, founder of Stedley Art Foundation recently gave me an excellent second-hand book about Tretyakov, about how he worked with artists such as invested money. Essays about the Hermitage, which has issued a Soviet publishing house "art" is very impressive. Now I read a biography of Mikhail Vrubel, is also very interesting. From the literature like Heminguey. "The holiday, which is always with you", for example.

What is needed for successful business management
Love for their cause, awe in the soul, good luck.

The plans
Long-term plans do not build, but I would like to make a project like that made Saatchi in London. I would like to create a center of our world-class art.
I believe in the success of Ukrainian art.

the original site tripwriter.ru