MY TAKE ON ART AS AN INVESTMENT-WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS NETWORK INVESTMENT SEMINAR VIEWS, IDEAS AND Q&A, November 22nd, 2013

• Is buying art or investing in it a rich man's game? Is buying art Elitist?

The prices of art works of masters such as MF Husain,Raza,Suza,Tyeb among many others suggest so. However, over the last few years, options have emerged, especially from emerging artists that have made investing in art more affordable.

 A MF Husain work bought for Rs. 1 lac in the mid-90s is easily upward of 50 lac today. The masters were not born masters. They achieved and deservingly so over a period of time. Similarly many emerging artists (future masters) can be identified today.

• Benefits of Investing in art

As compared to many other investments art as an investment is often given second thoughts, it is often undervalued. Investment in art is not like investment in property, silver or gold, which you can buy and keep away.

Art has to be enjoyed to look at. Of late awareness of investment in art is increasing very rapidly.

The Indian art market is beginning to grow at a good pace now. Lately we often hear about multi-million dollar sales of works by Indian artists which is very assuring that art does give returns over a decent period of time. With art auctions by renowned auction houses, galleries across the world, art deals are becoming very active day by day.

However art should not be encouraged to bought only and only as an investment. Art has lot of substance, value in terms of its time period, thoughts and emotions that go on in the mind of an artist while making a piece. While art is great to buy as an investment it has a role to play in treating your sight. A piece of art should be enjoyed regardless of its value at a point in time.

• When is the right time to buy art?

The time you look at a piece and instantly fall in love with it
at the same time keeping in mind the history of the artist, his past and current profile. It is also very important to always keep in mind which art gallery, consultant/dealer, auction house represent the artist, who he/she is backed up by, medium, category, quality of the work.

If you love to look at a piece of art, go ahead and buy it keeping the above basics in mind. Grow with the work as it grows in value!

• When is the right time to expect a return on art?

Art as an investment is very different from investments in real estate, gold and stocks. It can never have a guaranteed fixed return. Return on art depends on factors such as the artists' profile at the time of sale, past ownership of the art, demand and supply, availability.However like most investments the longer you hold on the better appreciation you receive.

• Forms and mediums of paintings and their value

Oil on canvas is perhaps the most expensive form of painting.
The next is an acrylic on canvas, followed by acrylic on paper.
Watercolor on paper painting would be cheaper than the above while charcoal on paper would cost the least.

Prints-are replicas of an original painting, created through techniques such as etching, screening, sketches, pen on paper.

• Valuation of art

In India valuation of art is most often than not a function of demand and supply of course followed by the quality of the work, its medium, size etc.Art is often considered elitist and is bought by people who have extra disposable income therefore it does well when the over all economy is booming.