Miami’s Master

He also cites appreciation of value as a deciding factor in investing in art by the masters. “The art market is unstoppable,” he says. “Good art will only increase in value. As a dealer, we try to sell the least amount as possible, try to keep an inventory of good things in the gallery, because if I don’t sell it this year, next year I can sell it for even more….The problem is not selling the works, the problem is trying to replace them.” He extols the benefits of the “bubble-burst” that occurred in the art market during recent years, explaining that it served to clean out the artists who were receiving undeserved high prices. “What stayed were the valuable artists.”

So with his celebrated inventory, Nader’s philosophy is that the best customer is an informed customer. Thus it is the mission of the gallery to teach and enlighten both current and future clients through educational programs, both locally and in the Middle East, where he is actively pursuing a gallery. He is also working on an ambitious undertaking of catalogue raisonnés in an entirely new format: online. Raisonnés are extensive projects that catalog the complete works of individual artists, featuring every single piece of work from the span of their careers. While typically published in book format—which are heavy, expensive, and extremely time-consuming to compile—an online raisonné will allow the works to be submitted and authenticated electronically. It can then be published immediately, rather than waiting to receive all of the artworks, which can take decades. Nader wants to make access free to the public, an invaluable tool for students, scholars, collectors, and auction houses.

Returning to its roots, the gallery will also reestablish its program for young artists. “I have launched the careers of 20 artists before, but we put the program on hold when we moved to the new gallery [from the previous space in Coral Gables].” The focus will be on young contemporary artists from South Florida, and a recent exhibition of young Dominican-American artist Soraya Abu Naba not only was almost sold out, but it also resulted in 20 commissions for hotels and collectors.

It is an example of the shear power of Nader’s endorsement, and his importance as a foremost expert on Latin American art. Matta: A Retrospective and XX Century Masters will be on display for two months following the opening in December, bringing thousands of art revelers to Wynwood, which, thanks to Gary Nader Fine Art, is the soul of the Miami art community.

Gary Nader Fine Art
62 NE 27th St.
Miami, FL 33137
305.576.0256