This is an appeal for assistance.
Adam Dant, a London artist whose style was described recently by the Guardian as “broadly Hogarthian,” has been commissioned by William Cash’s Spear’s Wealth Management Survey to document the lives of London’s hedge fund managers.
Having spent six months mooching around Mayfair, hanging out, in particular, at David Yarrow’s Clareville Capital, the results of Dants’ labours will be displayed at Robilant and Voena, on Dover Street, from November 12-16.
Charlotte Higgins, the Guardian’s art correspondent, says Dant spent time following managers as they toured they favourite haunts:
He saw the hedgies disport themselves at Annabel’s nightclub and private gambling establishments such as Crockford’s in Curzon Street and the nearby Aspinall’s, founded by John Aspinall, perhaps most famous as a chum of Lord Lucan. He saw them quaff cocktails at Harry’s Bar on Mount Street, and buy up art at Sotheby’s, Christie’s and the best contemporary art galleries. “It’s a very small world,” said Dant. “They buy art from White Cube, because it’s a reputable name. If you buy your shotgun from Purdey and have your shoes bought in Jermyn Street, you buy your art from White Cube.”
Mr Cash, at Spears, reckons the play on Dante’s Paradiso (Hedge heaven - below) and an accompanying Inferno-esque scene (Hedge hell — see separate post) might provide the perfect diptych for a hedge fund office:
The pair of museum-size originals are £25k and there is also a large silkscreen print edition of just 5 pairs at £10k per pair or £6500 each. I would have thought they would make the perfect christmas present for any underperforming or overachieving hedgie who thinks its time to motivate his troops and traders with a prospect of heaven or hell from the trading floor !
But we are intrigued by the detail. These faces look to be based on living individuals and we would appreciate some help in identifying them. Email Alphaville@ft.com or simply leave a comment below.
