The market has yet to understand the scale of the contemporary Asian art scene, de Pury says.

Simon de Pury: Well we’re very keen to show the best of the global art. So not only do we show, of course, the best artists from America, from Europe, the ‘80s and ‘90s; but you’ve mentioned China which has gone through an incredible development in the art market over the last two or three years. We are the best at showing contemporary art from Russia. This is a market that has a long way to go still compared to where the Chinese market is now. I view it as two to three years behind the Chinese market. Indian contemporary art has become a major phenomenon. Art from the Gulf countries is going to become more and more important; Latin America in general. So there is an enormous wealth of good art that is being made. At the same time you have to be aware that only a few artists really stick out and will make it in the long term. So you have to follow what’s being made, and then really concentrate on the artists that have the best long term potential. Recorded on: 2/7/08