From Basel to Beeple: How will the art world fare post-pandemic?

Fairs like Art Basel and smaller galleries have suffered the most during lockdowns and travel bans while established auction houses like Christie’s have capitalised on an influx of young collectors buying online.

The hubbub that descends each summer on a sleek exhibition hall in Basel, where collectors snap up art and hunt for hot-ticket new talent, is likely to be replaced this year by lines of socially distanced Swiss waiting for COVID-19 vaccines. The Herzog & de Meuron building usually hosts one of the world’s biggest art fairs in June, but last year’s event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and this year’s has been moved to September. The adjoining congress centre, meanwhile, has been turned into a vaccination hub. The art world is reeling from the impact of lockdowns, travel bans and social distancing, and fairs like Art Basel suffered more than most. The business of buying and selling art is having to adapt to limit the damage.