Traditionally, in the last days of December, for the fourth time in a row, ArtsLooker forms the rating of auction sales of Ukrainian contemporary art that took place during 2017. Comparing with recent years, the situation in the Ukrainian art market wants a better deal. This year, our rating "Top 10" have hit only six artists, which according to our observations, is not a positive trend. One cannot overlook the fact that many great masters of Ukrainian contemporary art, who have most recently been permanent leaders in the ratings and their works went off the hammer for tens of thousands of dollars, to put it mildly, let themselves be forgotten. Perhaps the Ukrainian "old collectors" already feel sated with their works, and the young ones have not yet had time to declare themselves. Undoubtedly, one should not forget about high inflation and instability in the political and economic sectors.
Also, the trend of collecting is developing poorly among people who are able to create a valuable collection of Ukrainian contemporary art. People of this type prefer to buy the third new Range Rover worth tens of thousands of dollars, which, figuratively speaking, in ten years will land on the landfill, and its value will be devalued, rather than to form a collection for this amount, which will become the pride of his family or company and will only grow in price year after year.
Still, there were many positive moments in the passing year. Thanks to gallery owners and art managers exhibitions are taking place in Ukraine, our artists are consistently being represented at the famous art fairs and international auctions. Foundations such as the BrovdiArt and the Sky Art Foundation, which support young writers, appear and operate, enabling them to develop their talent and make themselves known to society. A young generation of collectors who are interested in Ukrainian art is emerging and, as far as possible, is ready to support and develop it. So, let's hope that next year will praise us with much better auction results and cultural events. Now, we would like to bring to your attention the list of authors and their works which helped us form an auction rating.
1. Yegor Zigura, “Colossus that Awakens”, 2016, edition 10/15. New York, Phillips auction house. Sold in February 28, 2017 for $ 20,000
4. Yegor Zigura, “Colossus that Awakens”, 2016, edition 13/15. London, Sotherby’s auction house. Sold in June 6, 2017 for $ 12, 117
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