1. explorersfineart.com | 0207 164 6498 | rebecca@explorersfineart.com
An interview with Explorer’s Fine Art Founder, Rebecca Sparham-Simpson
by Rosa JH Berland
Rebecca is the founder of Explorer’s Fine Art. The British born art collector is
a creative person, and has long been interested in art. Inspired by her intrepid
travels around the globe, she has founded this business on the values of creativity,
diversity, ethical art sales, and meaningful relationships with artists.
Rebecca strives to bring unknown yet important and/or evocative artwork
to a wider UK audience. We were thrilled to learn more about her journey, her
commitment to multiculturalism, the artists she works with and to making new
inroads in the UK art market.
Rosa JH Berland:
What draws you to an artist?
Rebecca
Sparham-Simpson:
In the last two years I engaged
with art scenes worldwide
searching for the right artists
whose works embody the spirit
of Explorer’s. It is often a
unique style that draws me to
an artist.
Of course, the art has to be
created by a skilled practitioner,
who is technically adept. I am
very quickly drawn to pieces
that are expressive of a region,
not just identifiable landscapes
but also colour palettes, heavy
or light contrasts, brush work,
movement in the stroke, the
energy in a piece.
RB:
Why do you think there
is a need to bring awareness
to the type of artwork seen
on Explorer’s?
RSS:
I believe that in fact UK
collectors and the general public
are truly interested in work from
different countries and other
cultures.
However, these pieces are rare
in the UK and so this is truly
the beauty of owning a painting
from the Czech Republic,
Russia or the Bahamas. While
the market here is completely
different from the artists’
homelands, the UK market has
proven to be interested and
excited about this type of work.
It’s notable that in an
increasingly digital world
we still are so removed from
international ways of working
by hand e.g. the tactile
traditions like painting. I am
really excited to be part of this
effort to introduce artists from
around the world.
RB:
Tell us how you source new
artwork.
RSS:
We source art from studios and
marketplaces, as well as contacts
in galleries and universities
around the world. We are
always engaged in exploring
and discovering emerging and
established artists and have a
wonderful network of collectors,
galleries, and art enthusiasts.
RB:
Can you tell me more about
the cooperative nature of
your business? I understand
you encourage feedback
from the artists, and have
developed the site at the
encouragement of some of
the artists.
RSS:
Yes. It’s really exciting because
some of the artists have been
involved each step of the way.
For example I first spoke to
the artist DJ Cleland-Hura at
the early stages of producing
the collection. DJ is an
immensely gracious person
and deeply passionate about
the environment. He was very
enthusiastic about the concept
of showcasing a collection
influenced by diverse cultures
and encouraged our innovative
approach.
I would also mention Eddie
Minnis – a prominent figure
in the Bahamas, Eddie is a true
creative. As well as being a
prominent landscape artist, he
is a talented songwriter, and a
cartoonist. He is very inspiring.
The Italian artist Lucia Sarto is
wise, progressive, and endlessly
engaging. She has a very
traditional, impressionist
painting style, but is thoroughly
contemporary in her approach
to business.
RB:
What is your company’s
vision?
RSS:
Our gallery strives to open the
market for artists from diverse
backgrounds and locations,
subsequently promoting
awareness, access and
appreciation of the international
visual culture.
The artists represented by our
gallery reflect regionalism and
rare glimpses into the every day
world of other cultures and the
magical imaginative realm of
artistic minds.
Our search for talented
contemporary artists around the
world is ongoing. We anticipate
continued, if not increasing
interest in the UK, not only in
terms of art investment, but
also as a source for cultural
enrichment.