ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Thomas Dane on Post-Lockdown Art Market: Relationships Over Digital

opinion-review · 2026-04-27

London gallerist Thomas Dane, who opened a Naples branch in 2018, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the art world. He emphasizes that cash flow management and maintaining artist-client relationships are paramount. While remote selling and online viewing rooms are useful tools, they cannot replace direct experience of artworks. Dane predicts a shift toward local support for museums, galleries, and fairs, and expects accelerated debate on ecological issues like art shipping. He stresses the need for public-private collaboration, noting that relationships are the backbone of the art market.

Key facts

  • Thomas Dane runs galleries in London and Naples (opened 2018).
  • He cites cash flow management and forecasting as top concerns.
  • Dane says remote selling requires strong trust and relationships.
  • He believes viewing rooms cannot replace direct art experience.
  • Dane predicts increased focus on local art scenes post-pandemic.
  • He expects faster progress on reducing art shipping's ecological impact.
  • Dane calls for stronger public-private sector symbiosis.
  • The interview was published on Artribune in April 2020.

Entities

Artists

  • Thomas Dane
  • Alfonso Artiaco
  • Valentina Bonomo
  • Franco Noero
  • Santa Nastro
  • Francesco Arcangeli

Institutions

  • Thomas Dane Gallery
  • Galleria Continua
  • Monitor
  • Mazzoleni
  • Poggiali
  • Massimo Minini
  • P420
  • Artribune

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Naples
  • Italy
  • Bologna
  • Rome

Sources