We had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Andrade (MAFDAD, 2021), Art Consultant at Cramer & Bell. Amanda specialises in curating existing client collections and sourcing Modern and Contemporary artworks to build new collections. She works with a range of clients internationally and in the U.K. including both private collectors and commercial businesses such as luxury hotels, investment firms, and major brands.
Can you tell us about your career path since graduating from the MA in Fine and Decorative Art and Design at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, and how that journey led you to your current role at Cramer & Bell?
During my Masters I worked part-time at an auction house and took on short-term roles at a contemporary art gallery, a few art magazines and an art fair. I was able to leverage the variety of transferable skills I picked up from these diverse roles in various sectors of the art world into a position at Cramer & Bell Art Consultancy.
You’ve worked with a wide range of clients- from private collectors to luxury hotels and major brands. What does your work in art consultancy involve day to day, and what do you enjoy most about tailoring collections for such diverse contexts?
Every day is different because the needs, tastes and brief of each client is different! I love this aspect of art consultancy; it allows me to meet new artists and art professionals all the time. From scouting emerging artists at degree shows to showing clients around art fairs or installing art across the world, there is constant engagement by fresh sides of the art market.
What advice would you give to students or recent graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in art consultancy, particularly when it comes to developing the skills and relationships needed to succeed in this field?
My advice would be to take every opportunity you can. You never know when you will meet an important connection or pick up a new skill that a future employer is looking for. Having a wide range of skills - both soft skills and practical - is what helped me land every job in the art world so far.
Interiors: Charles & Co, Photography: Matthew Williams