- Words by Angela Cowan Photograohy by Lia Crowe
Hear the word 害羞草研究所渁uctioneer害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a lot of fun, but it害羞草研究所檚 very different from auctioning farm equipment or flowers, or anything of that nature. Fine art is a slower, more elegant process,害羞草研究所� she says. 害羞草研究所淔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 it害羞草研究所檚 important people know what they害羞草研究所檙e buying.害羞草研究所�
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. Oree害羞草研究所檚 been involved since the beginning, bringing a clear passion for both the art itself and art education.
害羞草研究所淚 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 害羞草研究所榦riginal害羞草研究所� means,害羞草研究所� she explains. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 important that people are able to access museum-quality art and learn about it. We really just want to encourage them to come in.害羞草研究所�
She adds: 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 exciting to see people害羞草研究所檚 reactions to art. I害羞草研究所檒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 didn害羞草研究所檛 even see. There are so many layers to each piece, and really your life experience will help you hone in on something.害羞草研究所�
One of the most surprising things for people, she says, is that those museum-quality pieces are often more accessible than most would assume.
害羞草研究所淭he only time you害羞草研究所檒l hear about Picasso on the news is when it害羞草研究所檚 a record-breaking auction. And when you go to a museum and you see a Picasso and a Salvador Dal铆 and a Matisse, there害羞草研究所檚 a description, but there害羞草研究所檚 not a price tag,害羞草研究所� says Oree. 害羞草研究所淪o people assume they害羞草研究所檙e priceless害羞草研究所攁nd sometimes they are害羞草研究所攂ut sometimes they害羞草研究所檙e not. It害羞草研究所檚 actually within reach of a lot of people. They害羞草研究所檙e always shocked to see how affordable the art is.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淲hile I was going to school I lived in Greece, and while I was on the cruise ships I lived everywhere,害羞草研究所� she says. 害羞草研究所淏ut even visiting the most beautiful ports in the world, I害羞草研究所檇 come home and walk down to Granville Island, and turn around and look at the port and I害羞草研究所檇 think, 害羞草研究所業 live in the most beautiful city in the world.害羞草研究所� This is home.害羞草研究所�
The 7 Sins
Envy:
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
Comfy ones for sure, but that害羞草研究所檚 probably not the question. Audrey Hepburn was not only a style icon, but a caring, giving, selfless, compassionate and elegant woman. I害羞草研究所檝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, I害羞草研究所檓 addicted to cauliflower.
Greed:
You害羞草研究所檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
It害羞草研究所檚 difficult to imagine spending $1 million without sharing. Hmm害羞草研究所害羞草研究所檇 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 害羞草研究所渏ust for a minute,害羞草研究所� 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 Hawaii害羞草研究所r Cozumel害羞草研究所r Crete.
Pride:
What is the one thing you害羞草研究所檙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, I害羞草研究所檓 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
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