- Words by Angela Cowan Photograohy by Lia Crowe
Hear the word B次元官网网址渁uctioneerB次元官网网址� and one of the first things that may spring to mind is high-speed patter in the middle of a tense back and forth between bidders. But for Oree Gianacopoulos, gallery director and art auctioneer at Chali-Rosso Art Gallery, the reality is very different.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot of fun, but itB次元官网网址檚 very different from auctioning farm equipment or flowers, or anything of that nature. Fine art is a slower, more elegant process,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淔or me, I really like to talk about each piece and do a nice presentation before it goes up for auction. Not everyone is a collector, and I think itB次元官网网址檚 important people know what theyB次元官网网址檙e buying.B次元官网网址�
Chali-Rosso Art Gallery, which opened in 2004, is named for the four artists they always carry: Marc Chagall, Salvador Dal铆, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso. OreeB次元官网网址檚 been involved since the beginning, bringing a clear passion for both the art itself and art education.
B次元官网网址淚 spend a lot of my time in the gallery teaching people about fine art. Why this Picasso is more important than that one, why this artist is important, what an etching is, what B次元官网网址榦riginalB次元官网网址� means,B次元官网网址� she explains. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important that people are able to access museum-quality art and learn about it. We really just want to encourage them to come in.B次元官网网址�
She adds: B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 exciting to see peopleB次元官网网址檚 reactions to art. IB次元官网网址檒l have a work of art in front of my desk for weeks, and then somebody will come in and look at it, and notice something I didnB次元官网网址檛 even see. There are so many layers to each piece, and really your life experience will help you hone in on something.B次元官网网址�
One of the most surprising things for people, she says, is that those museum-quality pieces are often more accessible than most would assume.
B次元官网网址淭he only time youB次元官网网址檒l hear about Picasso on the news is when itB次元官网网址檚 a record-breaking auction. And when you go to a museum and you see a Picasso and a Salvador Dal铆 and a Matisse, thereB次元官网网址檚 a description, but thereB次元官网网址檚 not a price tag,B次元官网网址� says Oree. B次元官网网址淪o people assume theyB次元官网网址檙e pricelessB次元官网网址攁nd sometimes they areB次元官网网址攂ut sometimes theyB次元官网网址檙e not. ItB次元官网网址檚 actually within reach of a lot of people. TheyB次元官网网址檙e always shocked to see how affordable the art is.B次元官网网址�
Oree, born and raised in Vancouver, spent 20 years in the fashion design industry before moving over to auctioning fine art, and spent some time as a gallery director aboard cruise ships. To be back in her hometown, working and educating on something she loves, is a dream.
B次元官网网址淲hile I was going to school I lived in Greece, and while I was on the cruise ships I lived everywhere,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淏ut even visiting the most beautiful ports in the world, IB次元官网网址檇 come home and walk down to Granville Island, and turn around and look at the port and IB次元官网网址檇 think, B次元官网网址業 live in the most beautiful city in the world.B次元官网网址� This is home.B次元官网网址�
The 7 Sins
Envy:
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
Comfy ones for sure, but thatB次元官网网址檚 probably not the question. Audrey Hepburn was not only a style icon, but a caring, giving, selfless, compassionate and elegant woman. IB次元官网网址檝e always had a girl-crush on her, and we share a birthday too!
Gluttony:
What is the food you could eat over and over again?
Prosciutto, fresh figs, angel hair pasta and cauliflower! Not together, but seriously, IB次元官网网址檓 addicted to cauliflower.
Greed:
YouB次元官网网址檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
ItB次元官网网址檚 difficult to imagine spending $1 million without sharing. HmmB次元官网网址B次元官网网址檇 like to build a sanctuary filled with fluffy bunnies, but first, I would take all my family and friends on a vacation somewhere warm.
Wrath:
Pet peeves?
When unauthorized people park in handicapped spots B次元官网网址渏ust for a minute,B次元官网网址� making life so much more challenging for a person with mobility challenges.
Sloth:
Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?
On a sandy beach in HawaiiB次元官网网址r CozumelB次元官网网址r Crete.
Pride:
What is the one thing youB次元官网网址檙e secretly proud of?
Friendships I have maintained since I was a little girl.
Lust:
What makes your heart beat faster?
As an art auctioneer, IB次元官网网址檓 quite accustomed to public speaking, but that 30 seconds before I pick up the microphone and start the auction is still exhilarating! Oh, and my husband, he makes my heart beat faster too!
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
Like Boulevard Magazine on and follow them on
