Art Collecting
Art collecting… Collecting art… A good friend of mine recently asked me about art collecting and I was stumped for an answer! Where does a collection begin?
The more I spoke to her, the more I realised how difficult art collecting can be if you’re not used to seeing artwork regularly and are not familiar with artists or their approaches and techniques. Or the case is the opposite: you’ve seen so much art at a wide range of prices but are perplexed when it comes to deciding whether it is really worth taking the plunge. Above all, it can be tricky for the untrained eye to weigh up which kind of sculpture or print would work best in an office or home. Will it actually look good on the wall, will other people like it?
First of all, it’s useful to consider why one would want to buy art after all. There are, of course, a multitude of reasons but three come to mind…
1) To brighten up an office or home. It’s great to take pleasure in your living and working environment and to have an object that transforms your personal space.
2) To have fun in owning something that is special for you; its tangible, rare, precious, a one-off!
3) The exciting realisation that the artwork, whilst lifting your spirits day-to-day, may become a wise investment; and the financial value of the work could surpasses inflation and increase in value.
Knowing what to buy does take some time but it’s all about research and educating yourself. You can read-up on the artist, go to exhibitions, talk with gallery owners and check out the large number of art sites online. Have fun and enjoy the experience.
To help you I’ve provided just a few links below to experts on acquiring art.
Do get in touch if you have any comments and suggestions. [email protected]
Art Collecting Resources
Acuity Arts are matchmakers, bringing together the worlds of business and the arts.
Newspaper style website on art around the world.
This is a vast and detailed site and has a section covering art valuation and collecting. They have a price database and auction results of art.
Independent Collectors is a website designed to share the passion for collecting contemporary art.
The online home for art from every public collection in the United Kingdom.
Uk Government Arts and Culture
The UK Government Art Collection has collected works of art to display in British Government buildings around the world, promoting British art and culture.