Gillie Deans is an art professional. An art professional is a person who has a profound comprehension and commitment to art. They represent both the practitioner and the client. To be defined as an art professional you must have invested a minimum of 10 years into generating an understanding of the creative process, as well as how to value works, and be qualified through experience to provide consultancy services.
She started her art consultancy from a strongly held belief that people need an experienced, independent and trustworthy source of advice on the assessment, conservation, valuation, sale and purchase of art - in fact in most aspects of the visual arts. She has over 25 years study and involvement in visual arts. As well as having worked full time for nearly four years in a large public art institution, dealing constantly with the public. She then established her own consultancy, working as an art professional. This involves working closely with clients, be they individuals, businesses or institutions. Gillie sources art for clients, assists in establishing and developing collections, assesses and values artworks, brokers commissions, portraits etc and, where appropriate, sells on behalf.
As an independent operator she is able to offer clients an unbiased professional service. Trust is a crucial issue in the art world.
For many people venturing into the art world can seem a complex task. An unknown world where one seeks sound advice and a trusty guide!
Outlined below are some of the public art projects she has been involved with:
Commissioned by the US State Department to establish a gallery showcase for the American Antarctic Art programme. This was put in place in time for the visit of President Clinton to Christchurch.
Sourced artwork for Government Ministers to be hung in their ministerial suites.
Supervised brokering and commissioning bicultural artwork for the Canterbury Public Library.