Joahnna Vikerie Director of Russian Art at Sotheby's Country: Great Britain

Joanna Vickery: Director of Russian Art at Sotheby's

Joanna Vickery, the head of the Russian Art department at Sotheby's, has been making waves in the art world with the upcoming auction of contemporary Russian art in London on February 15th. In a recent interview with "Izvestia" magazine, Vickery explained the decision to include American artists alongside Russian works, stating that it would help raise the profile of contemporary Russian art.

According to Vickery, the prices for the American artists, such as Hirst, Wesselmann, and Warhol, are higher than those for Russian artists of the same period. However, she believes that this is due to the fact that the American works appeared on the market much later. The market for contemporary Russian art is still in its early stages, but Vickery believes that it is gaining recognition as a sound investment.

While Sotheby's is known for its auctions of old masters, social realism, and non-conformist art, Vickery sees the inclusion of contemporary Russian art as a natural progression. She points out that there was already one auction of contemporary Russian art in Moscow in 1988, and believes that the interest in this period of art is growing both in Russia and internationally.

Vickery also highlights the affordability of contemporary Russian art compared to older Russian artists such as Korovin and Shishkin. She mentions that the preliminary price for their top lot, Eric Bulatov's "Revolutions. Perestroika" from 1988, is $150,000, while prices for Russian artists at Russian auctions can reach into the millions.

When asked about the demand for Russian art, Vickery explains that Sotheby's caters to both Russian and Western collectors. To cater to these audiences, they have scheduled the Russian art auction to take place almost simultaneously with the international contemporary art auction in London. Before the auction, they will also hold a small exhibition of the main lots.

As for the authenticity of Russian art, Vickery admits that there have been cases of forgeries but assures that Sotheby's takes measures to prevent such incidents. While they have various technologies to prove the authenticity of artworks, the most important factor is to carefully examine the artwork itself. Vickery emphasizes that it is crucial to look at the artwork and its provenance before making a purchase.

Joanna Vickery's passion for Russian art and culture is evident in her fluency in the Russian language, which she learned during her time in university. In 1992, she spent six months living with a family in Krasnoyarsk, immersing herself in Russian culture. Prior to joining Sotheby's, Vickery worked with Scottish artist Christina Robertson, aiming to revive the name of an overlooked painter in art history.

Vickery started her career at Sotheby's in 1997, becoming the first Russian-speaking employee in the Russian Art department. Her rapid ascent from assistant to senior director and head of the department is a testament to her expertise and dedication to the field of Russian art.