23 MAY 2025

Marlene Dumas just set a record with Miss January sold at $13.6M, the highest auction price for a living female artist. In my latest Substack, I explore what that means for Canadian women artists, whose market recognition still lags far behind. From Rita Letendre to Kapwani Kiwanga, I look at how institutional support, national exposure, and private sales shape long-term value.

8 MAY 2025

There are no Canadian contemporary galleries at Frieze NY this year. In this week's Substack I do some math (yes, math) to compare the numbers of Frieze NY 2024 and Montreal's Plural 2025 as a way to think through the shifting art fair priorities of Canadian contemporary galleries.

1 MAY 2025

When celebrities take on curatorial roles, what impact do they really have on the art world and the art market? In this week's Substack post I explore two high-profile cases of celebrity curation: Martha Stewart’s current sale with Joopiter and Steve Martin’s 2016 exhibition The Idea of North. These examples offer a lens into how celebrity involvement can amplify visibility, reshape narratives, and influence market behavior.

24 APRIL 2025

Where’s Canada in the 2025 Art Basel & UBS Art Market Report? Spoiler: It’s not there. But I’ve got some thoughts. This latest post took me an extra week to put together (it’s a big one!), but I wanted to connect the dots between the 264-page Basel & UBS report with what the major trends actually mean for Canadian galleries, auction houses, and collectors.

10 APRIL 2025

As Canada heads into the 2025 federal election, candidates are talking economy, climate, and foreign policy—but ignoring the arts. This post makes the case for why arts funding, cultural diplomacy, and the art market aren't just “nice-to-haves,” but critical tools for national recovery, global influence, and economic growth. It’s time culture took centre stage.

3 APRIL 2025

As Canadian art fair season kicks off, trends from Art Basel Hong Kong offer clues about what might unfold. With global uncertainty in the mix, Canadian collectors and institutions have a chance to shape a uniquely local response. Will they play it safe, or help define the next chapter for Canadian art?

20 MARCH 2025

The 2025 Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts aren't just a celebration of creativity—they’re a powerful reminder of why public arts funding matters, not only for culture but for the economy. These awards spotlight the long-term impact of sustained investment in the arts, and why Canada’s approach offers a vital counterpoint to what's happening elsewhere.

13 MARCH 2025

Christie's Augmented Intelligence sale closed on March 5, and the numbers tell us a lot about where AI art stands in the market. Some works soared past expectations while others struggled to meet their low estimates. So, what does this mean for Canada? Will we see a leap from research labs and festivals into major auction houses? And what will it take for Canadian AI artists to cross over into the commercial market?

5 MARCH 2025

Fine Art Funds, fractional shares, and art as an asset class—smart investments or just market hype? A deep dive into the relatively recent history of art as an investment vehicle and how socially conscious funds are changing the way we think about them.

27 FEBRUARY 2025

What happens when one of the world’s most famous portraits—Yousuf Karsh’s The Roaring Lion—gets stolen in a brazen hotel heist? Beyond the intrigue and international investigation, the art market takes notice. Prices shift, provenance matters more than ever, and media attention fuels demand.

21 FEBRUARY 2025

2024 saw major Canadian institutions expand their collections, while many others implemented acquisition holds. Does this signal growing disparity between institutions with significant donor support and those that must navigate more restrictive budgets? What does this mean for the art market in 2025?

14 FEBRUARY 2025

Love is in the air... and so are capital gains taxes. This Valentine’s (or Valuation) Day we break down what Canada’s upcoming tax changes might mean for art sales, donations, and estate planning. Spoiler: timing really matters.

11 FEBRUARY 2025

Considering CARFAC’s recommendations on AI and copyright in light of Christie’s upcoming AI auction (the first of its kind) and how artists and the art market might respond.

5 FEBRUARY 2025

How does a $50 painting turn into a $349,250 auction sale? Spoiler: It’s not luck. It’s all about authentication. A dive into two recent remarkable art discoveries.

31 JANUARY 2025

What do Basquiat, a banana, and billionaires have in common? Interest rates! Auction houses are struggling, art-backed loans are tightening, and appraisers are adapting to a shifting landscape where past sales aren’t always the best guide.

29 JANUARY 2025

What does it take for a Canadian photograph to sell for $3.6 million? Rarity? Prestige? A perfect storm of market forces? I break down the fascinating dynamics behind the sale of Canada’s most expensive photograph ever sold.

21 JANUARY 2025

With the looming possibility of a 25% trade tariff on Canadian goods entering into the United States, Canadian artists and art market could face new challenges, but also new possibilities. How might tariffs impact cross-border sales, institutional collecting, and the global momentum of Canadian contemporary art?

15 JANUARY 2025

I've launched a Substack! If you're curious about the fascinating world of the Canadian art and photography market, this is for you. I'll be sharing insights, stories, and analysis—like thoughts on the recent CCPERB decision to delay the export of a Krieghoff painting purchased by a foreign buyer.