Evolution of a status symbol
A quick overview of the 'weird horse art' that took off, as we say goodbye — for now.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — The only house rule when someone buys a painting off the walls of the Phila Street hotspot Standard Fare: You can’t take it home until artist Daniel Fairley paints its replacement.
No one knew just how often this policy would be activated, and it’s time for me to stop writing about each sale. But before we say goodbye (for now), we ask, How did this happen?
When Standard Fare opened this past August 15, it was predicted that the buzz would be around “Duck, Duck, Goose,” a Where’s Waldo-esque hunt for the one goose amongst a sea of ducks.
Instead, while the ducks are popular, it was the deranged horse near the hostess stand — “a joke, a light jab at Thad, my father-in-law [Denham’s dad], who arbitrarily picks racehorses that always seem to come in last place” — that flew off the wall.
It was a sign of things to come.
Thad’s Pick
Debut: Opening Night, Aug. 15
Display-to-sale time: two weeks
Who bought it: “a person from Brooklyn who was in town visiting friends”
Final thoughts: “It was a long shot — in concept and in real life. When it was the first piece to sell, it came as a complete surprise.”
Keep reading!
Artist’s unique take on horse art lands first major Saratoga sale
Thad’s Pick Again
Debut: Sept. 13
Display-to-sale time: 6 weeks
Who bought it: a downtown couple who took it home on foot
Final thoughts: “It is hubris manifested, which is probably why it took six weeks to sell. At this point, it wasn’t a question if the painting to replace it was going to be a horse or not.”
Keep reading!
Hostess stand’s ‘weird’ horse art fast becoming Downtown’s newest status symbol
Paint Me Like One of Thad’s Picks
Debut: Oct. 25
Display-to-sale time: 9 days
Who bought it: a Saratoga Springs local
Final thoughts: “It’s definitely one of my favorite pieces I’ve done so far, and I was slightly sad to see it sell so quickly.”
Keep reading!
You didn’t believe me, did you?
Thad’s Pick on the Final Stretch
Debut: Nov. 16
Display-to-sale-time: 12 days
Who bought it: a local, as a Christmas present
Final thoughts: “I knew the piece fit in the series after my wife suggested the title. I just couldn’t pass up a good pun.”
For more of his work or to commission a piece, visit poemdexter.com. To stay on top of his Thad’s picks, follow him on Instagram at @poemdexter — or stop into Standard Fare at 21 Phila Street.