VOLTA VOICES: WILL RAMSAY

VOLTA Voices is a recurring interview series with vanguards of the contemporary art world, whose insights into their experiences, concerns, and practices exemplify the very best of creative culture today. More than simply experts, these friends of VOLTA are supporters, colleagues, friends, family.

This time, Kamiar Maleki talks to Will Ramsay, Founder of the Fair’s parent company Ramsay Fairs. Read the interview as they discuss Will Ramsay’s passion for art, his desire to make art more accessible and where he sees VOLTA’s position in the fair world.

Kamiar Maleki: Dear Will, tell us a bit about yourself and why you founded Ramsay Art Fairs (and the first Affordable Art Fair) in 1999?

Will Ramsay: I had a passion for art and felt a more welcoming and educational approach would help many more intimidated people become art buyers and collectors. I wanted to help galleries and artists to grow their businesses, and art lovers to have the confidence to buy it, or collect more of it.

Kamiar Maleki: As a collector yourself, what brought you into the art world?

Will Ramsay: The incredible creativity which exists within artists. They inspire me, move me and fill me with admiration for their craftsmanship, thinking and struggle.

Kamiar Maleki: What made you decide to add VOLTA Art Fairs to your portfolio in 2019?

I had always admired VOLTA and when I heard it might be for sale, I jumped at the chance.

Kamiar Maleki: Where do you see VOLTA’s position in the fair world in the next few years?

Will Ramsay: I hope that VOLTA will continue to be:

1. An art community which people admire for its passionate people (gallerists, artists, and our VOLTA team), creative content (the art, special projects, relevance) and vibrant and nurturing ethos (professionalism, creativity, fun, caring).

2. A stepping stone for some, and place of discovery for all, be they artists, gallerists or collectors.

3. A relevant and valid platform in its own right, as well as one of the most established and respected satellite fairs.

Kamiar Maleki: How do you see the art world changing in the times of the pandemic?

Will Ramsay: From a commercial perspective, we have seen the continued rise of all things digital and various online fair formats and, while time will tell if those are here to stay, I see more galleries and fairs taking a more developed omnichannel approach. Most of all, I can’t wait to see the fruits of many artists’ hibernation in a year that they haven’t been rushing to produce work for gallery exhibitions or fairs. I am nervous of a perhaps troubled nature of some of it, as many artists have had a very tough year financially, which has led to emotional challenges.

Kamiar Maleki: How will this affect the future of art fairs?

Will Ramsay: There will be incredible, fresh art to admire. People want to meet people and artists, and art fairs continue to be a great way to do that. At the moment, there’s pent up demand and our first post-pandemic fair in New York has nearly sold out. It’s clear people are keen to see art in the flesh and socialize in the fair environment.

Kamiar Maleki: Where do you discover most of the art you buy?

Will Ramsay: At art fairs and degree shows.

Kamiar Maleki: What advice would you give a young collector today?

Will Ramsay: Have open eyes, open ears and open minds. Be brave. Enjoy it.

Kamiar Maleki: How do you attempt to make art more accessible?

Will Ramsay: By creating welcoming, educational and vibrant fairs. Above all, I encourage you to smile, genuinely smile, and you will have a happier art experience, be you an artist, gallerist, collector or first time buyer.

Follow Will Ramsay on Instagram at @willramsayfairs and connect with Kamiar Maleki at @kammaleki.