The New York Times found the one person lurking around the major art fairs who might provide the most valuable service to buyers. That’s Gloria Velandia who has been for the last 16 years the conservator-on-call at ArtBasel, Frieze and the Armory Show:
“I’m the doctor on call,” Velandia says of her unique position under the fair tent. “My role is primarily to help make sure, one, people have an understanding of what they are purchasing, that would be for condition reporting; and two, helping ensure that the artworks are in the best condition for display and sale.” Her now-ubiquitous presence at fairs came out of a casual conversation in Paris with the former Art Basel director Sam Keller. “Who does something for the exhibitors if something happens?” she asked Keller, referring to works being damaged, however slightly, during the bustle of the fair. “He said they had no one, and invited me to give it a try.”
At Art Fairs, Gallerists Have a Secret Weapon: This Woman (The New York Times)
