Careers Tea: The Art Market with Old Blue Adrian Biddell

On 16 October, Christ’s Hospital welcomed back Old Blue Adrian Biddell (1972–80) for a Careers Tea talk on The Art Market.

Adrian is a leading figure in the art world, currently head of paintings and works on paper at Olympia Auctions and director of his own company, Adrian Biddell Fine Art Ltd. With an impressive 27-year career at Sotheby’s, Adrian brings a wealth of expertise.

During the talk, Adrian shared insights into his fascinating career and offered students a deeper understanding of how the art market operates. He explored the complex relationship between the commercial value of art and its cultural or emotional worth and discussed the diverse career paths available in the arts – from curating and conservation to dealing, research and art advising.

Adrian also reflected on his own educational journey, from studying at the University of North Carolina to completing a master’s in history of art at the University of Cambridge, offering valuable advice to students considering higher education in the arts.

The event was compulsory for all art and art history students in DG and GR (Year 12 and 13), with art students in UF/GE (Year 10/11) strongly encouraged to attend. Many others with an interest in the creative industries joined to enjoy an engaging and inspiring discussion – complete, of course, with tea, coffee and cake.