December 16th, 2013
ARTfix daily
Record Sales, Attendance Reported for Art Miami and Context 2013
Six-figure sales far surpassed 2012 purchases for paintings, sculptures, photographs and mid-media works by artists such as Francis Bacon, Fernando Botero, Alexander Calder, Lynn Chadwick, Marc Chagall, John Chamberlain, Jim Dine, Sam Francis, Helen Frankenthaler, Adolph Gottlieb, Andreas Gursky, Keith Haring, Gottfried Helnwein, David Hockney, Robert Indiana, Alex Katz, Sol LeWitt, Vik Muniz, A.R. Penck, Richard Prince,  Mel Ramos, Robert Rauschenberg, Julian Schnabel, Wayne Thiebaud, Tom Wesselmann  and other blue chip artists. 

In its 24th year, Art Miami, the leading international contemporary and modern art fair that takes place each December during Miami Art Week, and CONTEXT, the sister fair to Art Miami, closed with record-breaking attendance and impressive sales that exceeded 2012 reported sales figures. Many of the works sold to established as well as new collectors, museum professionals, private and corporate collections, cultural foundations, dealers, art advisors and consultants. More than 72,500 attendees visited Art Miami and CONTEXT throughout the week with more than 13,600 patrons attending the exclusive VIP Preview on Tuesday, Dec. 3, which benefited the Pérez Art Museum Miami. Additionally, more than 400 international members of the press attended and reported on the fairs.

Known as two of the most important annual contemporary art events in the United States, Art Miami and CONTEXT together showcased artists from more than 200 leading galleries representing 70 cities from 20 countries. The energy and enthusiasm of collectors were palpable as they acquired important works by established, emerging and mid-career, cutting edge artists. Several dealers sold out of their stock and had to rehang their walls as sculptures, photographs, paintings and video installations sold and resold multiple times. The open atmosphere between both fairs created an exciting and spirited dialogue between artists, galleries and collectors, and allowed for established galleries as well as emerging galleries to present classic, contemporary and emergent talent. The enormous turnout and acquisitions once again marked Art Miami and CONTEXT as the most high-trafficked fairs in the city of Miami.

Director Frej Forsblom of Galerie Forsblom in Finland said, "We are really happy with the results of this year's fair. We sold more artwork than in 2012 at Art Miami. The quality of Art Miami is steadily improving each year with a higher caliber of galleries and art."

Hollis Taggart, President of Hollis Taggart Galleries, said, "This year's Art Miami fair was a huge success in terms of attendance and sales. Our gallery sold 15 works, most all of them to new collectors. This year's fair had a more international flavor, with sales being made to several European collectors and to South American collectors, which is something new for us. All of our colleagues likewise reported strong sales and everyone came away from this show very pleased. It seems that many collectors who attend the Art Basel show in the Miami Convention Center have 'discovered' our Art Miami show, and many came over and bought from this fair. There is no question that Art Miami has a huge momentum, and I suspect this year's edition broke all records for sales and attendance. Art Miami has become a recognized leader in the world of art fairs and is a force to be reckoned with. "