Chrissy Moore Art Advisory (CMAA) was founded with a clear idea in mind: to help artists and collectors navigate the art world, making the process transparent and focusing on building a path around what really interests the client. Chrissy and Andrew Moore, the duo behind this venture, like to describe themselves as a bridge between creativity and the market, built on integrity, insight and impact.
Chrissy’s understanding of the global art scene comes from her experience at auction houses in Edinburgh and Sydney, a degree in Museum Studies along with certifications from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in areas such as advising and finance. This is complemented by Andrew’s established expertise in cyber security, data privacy and compliance, gained in the financial, government and technology sectors. Their combination of personal relationships with professional systems and an understanding of the international art world with modern security expertise enables an integrated approach and personalised advisory service that supports artists and collectors at all levels, from opportunity creation to trust, protection and long-term security.
The online market is no longer supplementary, but central to how collectors discover, research, and acquire art. Recently, CMAA joined Artsy, the largest online art marketplace headquartered in New York. Chrissy told us about it in a private conversation with her and Andrew during a convivial meeting in Milan.
– Andrew Moore –
What type of artist does Chrissy Moore Art Advisory engage with?
I work with artists who are deeply committed to their practice and genuinely enjoy the process of creating. The artists I support are proactive, open to collaboration, and willing to work alongside me as part of a team. I am particularly drawn to artists who have a clear vision for where they want their practice to go, who trust professional guidance, and who remain open to new ideas and opportunities.
The artists I work with typically need strong promotional and strategic support, including help with visibility, exhibitions, sales, and presenting their work to the right audiences. Many are at early or transitional stages of their careers and benefit from additional structure, direction, and encouragement as they develop sustainably.
For artists without formal training, confidence can be a significant challenge. In these cases, being part of a supportive community, such as a collective or collaborative environment, often makes a meaningful difference. When artists engage with others, both their confidence and their work tend to grow more quickly. Where an artist is not yet ready for representation, I prefer to support them in when they are ready to commit fully.
– Honeybee by GILDA –
Pleasure or investment? Tell us more about your collector advisory services.
CMAA is currently in the process of building out its collector advisory services, and this is still at an early but intentional stage. At present, we primarily support collectors who buy art for pleasure, people who are drawn to a work because they genuinely love it and want to live with it. That said, we aim to increasingly work with collectors whose approach is evolving and who are beginning to think more strategically about their acquisitions.
Importantly, our collector advisory work is not limited to selling works by artists we represent. A collector may be looking for a specific artist or a particular work that is not on our books, and in those cases we act as an independent advisor, helping to source, assess, and secure the right piece. CMAA focuses exclusively on contemporary art, working across a range of media including painting, graphite drawing, silkscreen prints, and photography. As our collector services continue to develop, our emphasis remains on thoughtful guidance rather than speculation.
Collector requests vary and often reflect where they are on their collecting journey. Some come to us with practical requirements, such as sourcing work for a specific interior or architectural space. Others purchase instinctively, responding to a strong emotional connection. We are also beginning to support collectors who acquire art for professional or prestige-driven environments, where a collection communicates taste, success, and cultural awareness to clients or visitors.
One of CMAA’s key strengths is that we know all of our artists personally. Combined with our broader advisory role, this allows us to place artworks thoughtfully and support collectors in building collections that feel personal, coherent, and sustainable over time.
– Communion by Pierre Fortin –
– Tower Bush by Denise Carvalho –
Chrissy, how important is the online market in the art world?
Joining Artsy was a considered and logical step for CMAA as an art advisory. The platform significantly increases our visibility and allows us to reach collectors and art professionals worldwide through a trusted and established marketplace. Artsy adds value to our business in several important ways, particularly in terms of global reach, professional infrastructure, and buyer confidence.
Firstly, Artsy gives CMAA access to an international audience that would be difficult to reach through a standalone website alone. It allows us to operate on a truly global level without relying on a physical gallery space, which can be costly and restrictive. Secondly, the platform offers a strong level of reassurance around security and transactions, which is increasingly important in the current art market. Artsy provides systems designed to reduce the risk of fraud and support secure online purchasing, giving both collectors and galleries greater confidence when transacting digitally and across borders. Thirdly, the operational support behind the platform has been a major benefit, particularly when it comes to logistics. Artsy’s fine art shipping solutions add another layer of reliability, with services that are tracked, protected, and aligned with the expectations of international collectors.
Beyond sales exposure, Artsy offers tools that allow us to operate strategically. Features such as Viewing Rooms enable us to curate professional online exhibitions, while participation in online fairs and campaigns helps increase visibility for our artists. Access to analytics and market insights also allows us to better understand our audience, refine our approach, and plan growth based on real data.
For CMAA, being based in Edinburgh is a strength when combined with an online-first model. It allows us to work beyond the limits of a local market and to represent artists and collectors internationally. The latter are increasingly comfortable buying art online, valuing the convenience, accessibility, and transparency it offers. Platforms such as Artsy make this process easier by allowing collectors to discover, save, follow, and purchase works from anywhere in the world.
– Chrissy Moore –
What sets you apart from other players in the art world?
What sets CMAA apart is the combination of deep art-world expertise with high-level experience in cyber security, data privacy, and compliance, a pairing that is still relatively rare within the art advisory space. From the outset, we recognised that operating professionally in today’s art market requires more than curatorial knowledge and market insight. It also demands trust, discretion, and robust systems that protect clients, artists, and transactions. CMAA brings together these two essential elements, allowing us to operate with confidence and professionalism in an increasingly digital and global environment.
While we share the overall direction of CMAA, our roles are distinct and complementary. As Arts Director, I lead the vision and growth strategy of the advisory. My focus is on sourcing and supporting artists, building relationships with collectors, and developing collaborations that expand opportunities for our artists. This includes attending art business conferences, travelling to fairs, and actively engaging with networks that help increase visibility and create sustainable growth.
Andrew plays a critical role in ensuring that CMAA operates securely and efficiently behind the scenes, in ways that many art organisations are not equipped to address. He supports and implements the systems that underpin our operations, from digital platforms and workflows to information security standards and compliance processes. This provides reassurance to artists and collectors that their data, communications, and transactions are handled with a high level of care.
– The Decision by Emma Coyle –
What are the main art market trends identified by your observatory?
The contemporary art market is increasingly complex, with a growing number of players operating across artists, collectors, advisors, platforms, and intermediaries. One of the most significant trends we observe is the shift towards a more global and digital market, which creates opportunity but also increases risk.
As a small advisory, CMAA is very conscious of operating with integrity and transparency. We see ourselves as one of the smaller voices in the art industry, but that position allows us to be selective and values-led. Finding the right people to work with and building trusted professional relationships takes time. Early on, we encountered a number of enquiries that appeared promising but required careful research to assess their legitimacy. This due diligence remains a critical part of how we operate.
We also see many artists approached with offers that sound too good to be true, often involving unrealistic promises around exposure, sales, or representation. In these situations, artists frequently come to us for advice. Being able to assess risk, verify claims, and identify potential red flags is essential, and this is where Andrew’s background in cyber security and risk assessment is particularly valuable.
Another key challenge is pricing. Recent years have seen fluctuations in sales patterns, making it more difficult to establish consistent pricing strategies. There is also ongoing uncertainty around collector behaviour, particularly whether buyers are acquiring works primarily for enjoyment or with investment considerations in mind. Ultimately, navigating the art market today requires a balance of expertise, caution, and long-term thinking. At CMAA, our role is to help artists and collectors move through this environment with greater confidence by providing informed guidance, realistic expectations, and a trusted framework within which relationships and collections can develop sustainably.
Discover more at Chrissymoore.art
Chrissy Moore on LinkedIn Linkedin.com/in/chrissy-moore-b05605353
Chrissy Moore on Instagram and Facebook https://linktr.ee/chrissy54
CMAA on Artsy artsy.net/partner/chrissy-moore-art-advisory
Cover photo: Chrissy Moore in front of Empires Entwined by Lara Julian
Article edited by Claudia Chiari
Editorial Director Celebre Magazine World