The Stories and Stats Behind the Art

Where curiosity meets data: tracking trends, sharing discoveries, and making the art world more accessible

Thanks for opening this and reading along. I wanted to share why I’m starting this newsletter, and, why I hope you’ll join me for the journey.

Philip Clairmont untitled One of the first works I bought at auction

1. Exploring and discovering artists beyond the headlines
We all know the big names in New Zealand art — McCahon, Angus, Walters — and, of course, the heavy-hitters from the international scene. But how well do we know the artworks beyond those studied in the classroom and on display in national galleries? And then there are thousands of artists, past and present, creating remarkable work who don’t get the spotlight they deserve. I want to go digging, to uncover the gems hidden in auctions and share those discoveries with you. This is about the thrill of finding something new and surprising.

2. Making the art world more accessible
Too often, art writing feels like it’s speaking to a closed club. There’s no shortage of people with art history degrees producing detailed, academic essays — and those have their place. But I want to strip away the jargon and talk about art in a way that feels open, conversational, and grounded. You don’t need a master’s degree to enjoy a great painting or to get excited about an emerging artist. My goal is to make this a place where curiosity is rewarded and no one feels they need to “get it” before they can appreciate it.

3. Understanding trends… and spotting opportunities
The art world isn’t just about ideas and creativity; it’s also a market with its own rhythms, peaks, and patterns. I’m fascinated by what the data says about where prices are heading, which artists are rising, and how tastes are shifting. Yes, I’ll be tracking the works that might increase in value — but more importantly, I want to bring an analytical lens to a world that too often relies on hearsay and hype. If no one else is crunching the numbers, I will.

I’m planning to publish this newsletter fortnightly — possibly weekly depending on what else is happening in life.

I’d love your feedback on what you’d like to see here. Are there particular artists, movements, or trends you’d like me to dig into? Any deep dives or topics you’ve been curious about but haven’t seen covered elsewhere?

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