The year in the art market: instability rules

The art market has not had an easy year. Auction houses have adjusted their strategies while buyers are shying away from speculation and looking for secure investments. Meanwhile, online art trading platforms are pushing for a bigger share of the market. Here are the top trends and stories of the year.Sales slumpSales totals were markedly down on last year, when auctions fetched sky-high results that many in the trade saw as unsustainable. Turbulent financial markets, a fall in oil prices and p