School of Art

Contact Details

School of Art
Aberystwyth University
Buarth Mawr
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 1NG

Tel: +44 (0)1970 622460

Fax: +44 (0)1970 622461

Email: artschool@aber.ac.uk

eBay: the online car boot sale

22 October – 30 November 2007

eBay

eBay

was launched in the USA in 1995. The concept is a remarkably simple: it allows anyone in the world with Internet access to buy and sell goods at person-to-person online auctions. It is a friendly marketplace where traders and collectors can communicate with others who share similar interests and passions. The customer base is potentially worldwide. eBay sites operate from Argentina to Australia and Canada to Korea. Vendors are usually private collectors thinning their collections or trading up, entrepreneurial young artists plying their wares, established dealers breaking into a new market, or traders in general antiques and collectibles. Works of art may be acquired for substantially less, in some cases a small fraction of their UK market value.

Eric Fraser (1902–1983), The Case of the Jealous Doctor - The Nightmare, ink (for Leader Magazine) 1949

Eric Fraser (1902–1983), The Case of the Jealous Doctor - The Nightmare, ink (for Leader Magazine) 1949



This exhibition of primarily Modern British prints and drawings purchased on eBay, loaned by an Aberystwyth collector, demonstrates that even for those far from the metropolitan centres, acquiring fine art on eBay can be an exciting, informative and rewarding pastime. For a brief period, the auctioned works are in the public domain for anyone to see, only to disappear again into the homes or vaults of the buyer. This exhibition brings some of them back into public view and tells the story of their journey to Wales.

George Chapman (1908–1993), Welsh Gossip, oil on board, 1958

George Chapman (1908–1993), Welsh Gossip, oil on board, 1958

after Peter Paul Rubens (1677–1740), Susanne Fourment (elder sister of Ruben’s second wife) 1620–1625, oil on canvas, early 18thC

after Peter Paul Rubens (1677–1740), Susanne Fourment (elder sister of Ruben’s second wife) 1620–1625, oil on canvas, early 18thC



Includes: Francisco Goya | John Hamilton Mortimer | Laura Knight | Edward Bawden | John Bratby | Eric Fraser | Alistair Grant | David Hockney | Julian Trevelyan | George Chapman | John Elwyn | Eric Malthouse | Claudia Williams | Valerius de Saedeleer



 
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