I have an interesting perspective when it comes to Artist's Resale Right, as I am married to Lelia Pissarro who is also my business partner.
She is an artist and receives ARR on works sold at auction and is also the beneficiary of ARR for her grandfather, Paulémile Pissarro. So we see ARR from the triple perspective of the trade, the artist and the artist’s estate.
The approach the UK art trade should take is not to try and abolish ARR, as I believe we will simply fail, but in the spirit of Brexit, the trade should fight to remove European benefactors from receiving ARR.
In other words, the UK trade only collects for UK artists and UK estates.
This should be the focus of our battle. Otherwise the argument will only get diluted with the marginal question of the entry level, that is, €1000 or more.
If ‘Brexit means Brexit’ we cannot be expected to continue collecting for European artists and estates.
I believe the UK art market would be ecstatic if this was achieved (although I am aware that those who deal in British art will not benefit). For the auction houses and the international trade that takes place in London, this would be a great advantage.
I have put forward this point to the chairman of SLAD and I look forward to hearing the views of your readers.
David Stern
Stern Pissarro Gallery
St James’s Street, London SW1
