In conversation with Ben Springett
A fantastic interview with Ben Springett, Gallery Manager at Alon Zakaim Fine Art.
“Be professional, honest, trustworthy and as easy to work with as possible so people remember you for the right reasons.”
To start off, tell us a little bit about yourself! Where do you come from? Please, also tell us about your academic and professional background as well as your interests.
After completing my BA and MA in History of Art at the Courtauld Institute and a few internships at a variety of galleries, museums and auction houses including Tate and Christie’s, I started working full time as Gallery Assistant for Alon Zakaim Fine Art in 2008 and became Gallery Manager in 2011. Specialising in 19th Century, Impressionist and Modern Art, we operated from a small space in Cork Street before opening our current larger gallery in Dover Street in 2012. Coming from quite an academic background I was always interested in learning more about the business side of art and I continue to learn on a daily basis.
“Art was always my favourite subject at school and I enjoyed flicking through books about artists and attempting to appropriate their styles in my own work from an early age.”
Where does your passion for art come from?
Art was always my favourite subject at school and I enjoyed flicking through books about artists and attempting to appropriate their styles in my own work from an early age. Unfortunately, my artistic high point was a drawing of an apple aged 12 and my dreams of being the next Monet were unrealistic. Therefore I decided to combine an apparent talent at writing history essays with a passion for art and opted for History of Art at university, despite never studying it as a subject before. Luckily, it was a gamble that paid off.
Do you collect art yourself or do you aspire to become an art collector? Tell us why and how would you like to interact with art in the future?
I’ve bought and sold a few pieces over the years, normally by artists and photographers that we work with at the gallery. Ten years working with a commercial dealer has taught me to always keep an eye open for good investment opportunities. Saying that, my favourite pieces at home are works that I have bought because I was immediately attracted to them or which resonate with me on a more personal level. With these pieces I don’t really think about value and just enjoy living with them, which of course should be the most important criteria for any collector buying a work of art…
What are your all-time favourite art spaces/events to go to and what is your latest discovery?
In terms of London spaces, I’ve always enjoyed exhibitions at the Hayward Gallery and so I’m glad it’s open again following renovation. With events, I exhibit with the gallery at TEFAF Maastricht every year and in my opinion it is truly the best art fair. The wide range of consistently museum quality works on display is phenomenal. It’s definitely worth the pain of getting there, and the gin & tonics in the evenings certainly help ease the pain! Most recently I visited Hong Kong for Art Basel HK which was totally mad but a great experience. I also enjoyed the convenience of the Pedder Building and H Queen’s which both contain a number of modern and contemporary galleries. I managed ten exhibitions in two hours!
What do you think we should talk more about in the art world?
You might find it a strange suggestion, but I think we should talk less about art and the art world and more about each other. I’ve found that the best contacts I’ve made have become friends purely because we can switch off and enjoy a lunch or a beer after work and not always talk shop. Then when it comes to actually working together, things are often a lot easier. Even if something goes wrong, it’s often simpler to work through a disagreement with someone you’ve got a good rapport with. I organise pub nights for people from the art world a few times a year and generally encourage people just to come and get to know each other. ‘Networking’ is a banned word though!
What would be your top best advice for a young art lover aspiring to become gallery manager?
Study hard and try to do a variety of internships/work experiences in different areas of the art world to make you a more rounded candidate. Use the internships wisely and try to meet a good number of people in the trade to increase the number of contacts you have. Indeed, the more people you know, the easier it might be to secure a permanent role. Be professional, honest, trustworthy and as easy to work with as possible so people remember you for the right reasons.
If you could change one thing about the art market what would it be?
I’d make it illegal to offer artworks to people which you have absolutely no control over. We are contacted on a daily basis by people with ‘direct access’ to amazing Picassos etc at over inflated prices when really they are in a huge chain and couldn’t deliver even if we were interested. It’s such a waste of everyone’s time. We’ve even been offered works we actually own before. It’s always a pleasure to send a photo back of one of us holding the painting in question!
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