Buying art online through a 3-D virtual gallery is now possible after the recent launch of Ocula, a virtual market for modern and contemporary visual art.
Launched in New Zealand and Australia, co-founders Christopher Taylor and Simon Fisher believe Ocula will stimulate the Australian and New Zealand art market by allowing art enthusiasts to research, buy and sell art around the clock from any location.
Ocula launched with more than 1000 art works of all mediums listed for sale through its network of invited commercial galleries from both sides of the Tasman.
Included in the offering is a work by Frances Hodgkins which is valued at between $350,000 and $450,000.
Mr Taylor said Ocula was an ideal entry point to the art market that brought together the best of the art world in one accessible platform.
"We're offering a curated art portal where time-poor collectors can browse through stockrooms and exhibitions of the most influential galleries in the region at any time of day and without leaving their home or office."
Auckland-based digital innovators exhibbit.com developed world-leading technology for the site, he said.
Ocula's virtual galleries were based on actual renditions of existing gallery premises, allowing users to experience the size and scale of art works within their original context.
In addition, the portal would host online auctions of important works and facilitate sales by private treaty.
Online auctions launched with selected important works by New Zealand artists with auctions of major Australia works expected to go live in the second half of the year.
All works offered for sale on the site, either for auction or private treaty, would also undergo a strict quality approval process, Mr Fisher said.
Ocula provided up-to-date art market data, including comparable sales results, through a live feed to news and reviews of artists and exhibitions.
Users could create a personal profile allowing them to receive alerts when favourite artists were listed for sale, save search preferences and view forthcoming exhibitions.
Founding galleries:
Anna Schwartz, Darren Knight, Hopkinson Cundy, Jensen, Jonathan Smart, Michael Lett, Murray Whiteroom, Niagara Galleries, Roslyn Oxley9, Starkwhite, Sue Crockford Gallery, Sullivan+Strumpf Fine Art, Sutton Gallery, Tolarno Galleries, Two Rooms.
Online: www.ocula.com
