Russell Young

There was something makeshift about the Scope fair: no carpets, noisy air conditioning and panel discussions that took 15minutes to find, hidden in a room behind an admittedly hip bar/lounge. But what most exhibitors talked about was the economy. Their reactions veered between extremes. Some found their stands were never empty, while others had a palpable air of desolation. The Keszler Gallery (330), Southampton, was buzzing with buyers mesmerised by British artist Russell Young’s screen- print multiples, which he produced live on the opening day, and unique prints sprinkled with Swarovski crystal diamond dust. By the end of the second day, four screenprints of Barack Obama and MarilynMonroe had sold for $9,000 each, while an Austrian collector paid $26,000 for Liz Taylor Diamond Dust, 2008. “I’m very pleased with Scope,” said Stephan Keszler. “People are trying to negotiate, but this shows they like the work. ” Collectors included Melva Bucksbaum,  Beth Rudin DeWoody, Richard and Eileen Ekstract, Arnold Lehman, Stephanie Ignacio and Takashi Murakami.