Gareth Harris is asking dealers about the tastes of the all-important South American collectors for whom Art Basel Miami Beach was originally designed and have become increasingly important in the art market:

“We work with some informed collectors in Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil who have made a significant commitment to the art of Joan Mitchell, and to that of other first-generation abstract expressionist painters. Their long-term interest in historical figures from the region – such as Hélio Oiticica – is consistent with their search for great non-representational work of the New York School,” says Adam Sheffer of New York’s Cheim & Read, who is showing a new word sculpture, “The Modern”, by Jack Pierson, priced at $200,000.

Argentine collectors Juan Vergez and Patricia Pearson-Vergez point out that they have attended the fair every year since its inception and are on the hunt for works by British artist Mathew Hale this time.

Art Basel Miami Beach (Financial Times)