{"id":13458,"date":"2022-08-20T11:00:57","date_gmt":"2022-08-20T09:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=33837"},"modified":"2022-08-20T11:23:10","modified_gmt":"2022-08-20T09:23:10","slug":"a-guide-to-buying-art","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/a-guide-to-buying-art\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to buying art"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Molly Malsom\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 20 August 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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In terms of viewing or appreciating contemporary art, most of us generally know what we like. But when it comes to actually buying art, that\u2019s a whole different story. There are various reasons for making an acquisition \u2013 investment, the thrill of collecting, buying as a gift, or to decorate your home. But where do you begin? How do you know whether or not an artist is worth collecting? Or whether a piece is \u2018good\u2019? You could tie yourself up in knots before you\u2019ve even properly started. Breathe easy \u2013 ultimately, there\u2019s no right or wrong way to go about this, but there are some considerations worth thinking about to help you get the best from your art-buying experience.<\/p>\n

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Jan Baldwin<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

So, just what is \u2018contemporary art\u2019? And is it the same as \u2018modern art\u2019? Although the terms are often thought to be interchangeable, they are actually two distinct movements. Loosely speaking, modern art lasted from the 1880s to the 1960s, giving way to the development of contemporary art, which is still emerging. \u2018Modern art was defined by a sense of experimentation and challenging traditional values,\u2019 explains Rebecca Wilson, Chief Curator at Saatchi Art, \u2018while contemporary art \u2013 the art of \u2018now\u2019 \u2013 reflects our culturally diverse world, new technologies, and an emboldened sense of mixing different mediums and concepts.\u2019<\/p>\n

As technology has advanced \u2013 with the advent of new\/digital media \u2013 so the definition of what art is has expanded. The market for contemporary art has evolved, too; rather than the privileged and somewhat elitist activity of yore, the internet has revolutionised the way art is presented, bought and sold. Today, thanks to online platforms and marketplaces such as Artfinder, Artsy, Saatchi Art and many others, social media (particularly Instagram) and good old Google, the art world has become much more accessible. \u2018Buying contemporary art used to be an intimidating prospect, but that\u2019s a barrier that has really been broken down in recent years,\u2019 says Alice Phillimore, Lead Curator at Artfinder. \u2018It has never been so easy to discover and buy affordable contemporary art online.\u2019<\/p>\n

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According to Rachel Brown from The Biscuit Factory, an independent commercial art, craft and design gallery in Newcastle, the growth of Instagram has been key in allowing more people to access contemporary art as part of their daily online lives. \u2018With this accessibility comes the unmistakable growth in content and interest in all things relating to interiors, design, art and craft,\u2019 she says. \u2018By shifting the association of artwork from gallery walls to domestic spaces (by way of an online world), people started to feel comfortable with the idea of buying and living with original art.\u2019<\/p>\n

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The obvious first step is to get a sense of what might appeal to you and do some research \u2013 see and experience as many types of art as you can by browsing online and doing a bit of legwork. \u2018Start local,\u2019 advises Rachel. \u2018Seek out galleries and open studio events happening in your area. Find out what you like, meet the makers, and speak to galleries about the artists they\u2019re representing \u2013 they will have expertise and inside knowledge on the availability of new collections that may suit your brief.\u2019<\/p>\n

Going to art fairs \u2013 The Affordable Art Fair, Frieze, et al \u2013 is a great way to see a lot of different work, too. At The Other Art Fair events in London (presented by Saatchi Art), not only can you see the work of countless artists, you\u2019ll be able to meet them in person, learn about their approaches and techniques, and, says Rebecca, \u2018generally get more comfortable with talking about art as well as looking at it.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Buying art in person isn\u2019t for everyone, and purchasing online can help to relieve some of the intimidation of walking into a gallery for the first time. \u2018It gives people a much more transparent buying experience and is a more accessible way of discovering a wide range of work,\u2019 explains Rebecca. \u2018When shopping online, prices are usually visible, so all the information you need to make a decision is available without having to pluck up courage to ask someone.\u2019<\/p>\n

Art auctions are another avenue new buyers can explore. Cl\u00e9mence Tasiaux, Head of Department for Modern and Contemporary Art at Bonhams auction house in London, says that far from being intimidating, auctions are designed to give everyone access to \u2018exceptional art\u2019. \u2018We are always happy to walk new clients through the process,\u2019 she says, \u2018by explaining the different ways to bid, outlining which fees to take into consideration on top of the hammer price, and providing additional information about the lots they are interested in.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Brent Darby Photography<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Whatever your approach \u2013 auction, gallery or online \u2013 don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions. \u2018As specialists, we are always here to help and we love to dive deep into the work with our clients,\u2019 says Becca Starr, Director of Collector Relations at Artsy. \u2018If buying online, you can always ask for more images, more information about the artist and their work, and a condition report.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Treat galleries like any other specialist retailer,\u2019 adds Rachel Brown. \u2018Remember you are the customer and they are there to provide great service and be positive envoys for the artists they represent. And artists who handle sales themselves will always be thrilled to have someone show an interest in them and their work.\u2019 Prints and lithographs can also be a good entry point for newbies, and allow you to easily and affordably add to your collection over time. Both are a much more affordable way of obtaining work by revered artists; surrealist icons Dal\u00ed and Mir\u00f3, for example, both produced a significant number of lithographs.<\/p>\n

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Works on paper, limited-edition prints and smaller artworks also make more sense if you have a modest budget, or not much wall space. Talking of budget \u2013 even expensive pieces of art are becoming more accessible to everyday buyers. Novice collectors can purchase art via an interest-free payment plan or loan from initiatives such as Own Art or Collectorplan (Wales), which both aim to make art affordable and within reach for all.<\/p>\n

Whether or not you\u2019re thinking in terms of art being a good investment, it all comes back to the same old chestnut: buy something you love. \u2018While some investments will pay off, the art market can be very unpredictable, and an artwork is never guaranteed to appreciate in value,\u2019 says Becca. \u2018If you buy something you like and enjoy seeing it every day, you will ultimately get your money\u2019s worth, no matter what.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Helenio Barbetta<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

But as much as you might love a piece of art, how do you know whether or not it\u2019s \u2018good\u2019? \u2018It really depends on the individual,\u2019 says Becca. \u2018Understanding one\u2019s own tastes is the best way to define \u2018good\u2019 when looking at art. There are certain factors \u2013 condition, impact on art history, iconicity \u2013 that contribute to the quality and value of a work. But ultimately, an artwork is \u2018good\u2019 when you think it is.\u2019<\/p>\n

One of the most exciting elements of the art scene is emerging artists, bringing fresh ideas along with the potential to become established and collectable names of the future. Degree shows, of course, are a rich resource for nascent art. \u2018Buying work by recent graduates is not only a very affordable way to start your collection (once taken on by a gallery, their prices can double), but also supports emerging artists at a critical time in their careers,\u2019 says Rebecca Wilson.<\/p>\n

Whatever sort of art you plan to amass, it\u2019s worth considering how and where it will be displayed. Abstract art in particular \u2013 the more dazzling and colourful, the better \u2013 works well when juxtaposed with sundry statement antiques. \u2018Contemporary art and antiques make a harmonious pairing,\u2019 says interior designer Joanna Wood, \u2018each highlighting the strongest elements of the other.\u2019<\/p>\n

When all is said and done, it really boils down to how art speaks to you. \u2018Collecting art is exciting \u2013 a romantic pursuit, capturing something about how you felt and who you were when you bought it,\u2019 says Sarah Ryan of New Blood Art. \u2018It\u2019s interesting to see how personal taste evolves over time, and an art collection provides a mirror of that.\u2019<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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By Molly Malsom Published: Saturday, 20 August 2022 at 12:00 am In terms of viewing or appreciating contemporary art, most of us generally know what we like. But when it comes to actually buying art, that\u2019s a whole different story. There are various reasons for making an acquisition \u2013 investment, the thrill of collecting, buying […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":13459,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"7"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/08\/a-guide-to-buying-art.jpg",1600,1065,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/08\/a-guide-to-buying-art-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/08\/a-guide-to-buying-art-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/08\/a-guide-to-buying-art-768x511.jpg",768,511,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/08\/a-guide-to-buying-art-1024x682.jpg",800,533,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/08\/a-guide-to-buying-art-1536x1022.jpg",1536,1022,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/08\/a-guide-to-buying-art.jpg",1600,1065,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Molly Malsom Published: Saturday, 20 August 2022 at 12:00 am In terms of viewing or appreciating contemporary art, most of us generally know what we like. But when it comes to actually buying art, that\u2019s a whole different story. There are various reasons for making an acquisition \u2013 investment, the thrill of collecting, buying…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/13458"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}