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Art fair

Pauline McLean | 21:12 UK time, Monday, 29 March 2010

Glasgow Art Fair seems to have had another good year.

Popped down on Saturday for a wander, and while some stalls were reporting a slow start to the week, others could barely keep the stock on their shelves.

Queen's Gallery has to make the dash back to Dundee after just one day's business.

New work by Catriona Millar completely sold out, while just one piece by emerging artist Frank To was left unsold.

Grumblings about the cost of entry and the lack of affordable art, seems to be bearing fruit with several galleries offering prints for around £100.

Fiona Watson's Aviary Suite - a series of original digital artworks - seemed to go down well.

At the other end of the scale, there was no red dot on the £135,000 Hornel oil painting at Duncan Miller Fine Art (even with the prospect of a major retrospective of the Glasgow Boys in just a few weeks time).

But a portrait of Tracey Emin - painted in 1984 by her ex, Billy Childish, did sell, at David Lilford Fine Art - a snip at £15,000.

But the buzz at this year's event wasn't just about prices.

The whole direction of the event, held under canvas in George Square for the last 16 years, is now in question - with the news that director Pete Irvine is stepping down.

The three-year contract to stage the art fair, by Glasgow based events company UZ under Mr Irvine's direction, is due for renewal with Glasgow City Council and it'll be interesting to see whether there are any other bids for the contract, or whether UZ will simply return with a new director.

Few answers at the Art Fair, at the weekend, but lots of questions.

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