VOLTA VOICES: NICHOLAS CAMPBELL

Kamiar Maleki: Dear Nicholas, tell us a bit about yourself and your experience as an art consultant!

Nicholas Campbell: Back in 2010 after working in the art world for quite some time I noticed a rather considerable gap in the market, which was the lack of any advisory service specifically focused on helping clients looking to buy art with a smaller budget. As such, I decided to fill that gap and Narcissus Arts was born, the only art advisory in the UK to specialise in sourcing art for under £10,000. What started out as buying prints for friends has led to building impressive collections and finding fantastic art for a wide range of clients, including royalty, professional sports people, international hotel brands, exclusive bars and members clubs, and many more. It has been, and continuous to be, an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable journey.

KM: Narcissus Arts focuses on pieces below £10,000, tell me about your thought-process to concentrate on more accessible art rather than blue chip artworks as a source of strength for your company?

NC: I made the decision to focus on more financially accessible art works mainly because I had come to realize that great art doesn’t necessarily cost a fortune, and it frustrated me to see people paying above and beyond for often uninspiring works due to a lack of guidance. It is such a joy owning artworks you genuinely love, and most people just can’t afford to do that if they limit themselves to the upper end of the market. This way, I hope to install an interest and joy in collecting art in a more manageable and less intimidating way; encouraging people to support emerging artists and to invest in their artistic journey. It’s a win-win, really.

KM: How receptive have you found your clients, whether they be private, corporate or commercial to this business model as opposed to collecting better known artists? Or do you also buy better known artists for your clients?

NC: Our clients have always been very accepting of this business model. Seeing as Narcissus Arts operates at such a low level in comparison to the rest of the art market, it has always been welcomed as a fresh approach that people are keen to learn more about. And in terms of the artworks themselves, you aren’t restricted to only young emerging artists at that price level - well-known artists are still well within reach. What I love about my job is showing people that not only is there some amazing young talent out there worthy of purchasing, but within the same budget you can get a great print from household names like Warhol or Hirst.

KM: What inspires you to discover new artists and new talents for your clients?

NC: The thought of the unknown and the thrill of finding someone truly great is a real motivator for me. Over the past ten years I have had the pleasure of coming across some then-new names that have gone on to great things, and as cliché as it might sound, I have felt honored to play a part in their journey, however small. Even if I have gone dizzy in a maze of booths at an art fair or I’m feeling exhausted from trawling around degree shows, it’s the allure of what could be around the corner that I just can’t resist. The exciting feeling of discovering new talent that you just know a client is going to fall in love with is undeniably addictive. 

KM: Where do you mostly discover your art?

NC: Pre-Covid days I was discovering art from almost every corner of the art market around the world. I would be visiting art fairs at least twice a month, as well as attending countless gallery exhibitions and going on numerous studio visits. Nowadays, my real discoveries tend to come from PDFs and OVRs, but I have to admit that Instagram is also becoming more fruitful.

KM: What makes an art fair a special place to discover art?

NC: Art fairs are great places to discover art largely because of their ability to attract such a diverse group of galleries and artists from across the globe that visitors then have access to, all under one roof. At an art fair like VOLTA, within the space of ten minutes you can enjoy art from four different continents and have conversations with experts on artworks right in front of you. In this sense, art fairs have the unique ability to break down social and geographical barriers, and help make the art world more accessible.

KM: Who is your favorite artist you have recently discovered?

NC: There are a couple of artists that have really caught my attention lately, but if I have to pick one it would be a lady called Rachel Jones - although sadly I think I’m a little late to the party. Jones is a young British artist who creates stunning abstract works in both painting and sculpture. I love her bold use of color and form, and the way texture plays such an interesting role in her works producing such visceral and emotive works of self-expression.

KM: What makes VOLTA a special fair?

NC: What has struck me as special with the VOLTA art fairs is the fact that whilst exhibitor numbers are relatively low, the level of quality remains high. Fairs often have great offerings but are tiresomely big or are more manageable in size but lacking in quality. However, each time I’ve visited VOLTA, it has been a truly enjoyable and rewarding experience. I can’t wait to come back, hopefully in the new year.

Follow Nicholas Campell on Instagram at @narcissusarts1