A summary of the most important considerations when it comes to building your art collection!
Identify your Aestetics and narrow your focus
The best way to find out what you like is to expose yourself to as much art as possible. Visit your local galleries, dealers, museums and other art institutions to get a feel for what appeals to you. The more you look at art the easier it will get for you to narrow down a focus.
Ask yourself: Why am I attracted to this piece? Would I want to learn more about it? What is it exactly that appeals to me?
Try to identify the red string the pieces you feel attracted to have in common.
Online art discovery can be also a great source for defining and especially narrowing down your focus. Browse art platforms such as artsy or artnet, create an online mood board, build your virtual art collection, browse international museum exhibitions online and identify your taste in art.
Set your motivation and your budget
What's your motivation to buy art? Do you want to enrich your home? Do you want to invest? Do you want to support your local art scene? What will is cost to statisfy this motivation?
Building a well curated art collection is no short term objective. It takes committment, time and a defined bugdet.
Most of the times art buyers will have a budget for what they can afford and set aside a specific amount per year for this purpose. Another option is to start figuring out what the desired artworks cost and to make that a determined factor for the budget.
In any case: do your homework! Familiarize yourself with art prices and browse price databases to gain confidence about the value of art.
Make the purchase
Once you have defined your taste and therefor your collection strategy as well as your needed bugdet you can go ahead and make your purchase.
Start researching: who is selling what I want? Don't make the mistake to just buy what is on offer in your neighbourhood because it feels easier. Look for what you defined beforehand even if that means it takes more time and effort.
Go for quality and what brings you true joy on the long run.
There are plenty of options to purchase art.The most common ways to purchase art are at the art gallery, the art dealer, the auction house, the artist studio, online art platforms. Never feel intimidated to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable about the purchase.
Don't forget to enquire about certificates of authenticity, if appicable condition reports and provenance or any extra costs like buyer's premium in the auction house or transportation costs.
Take care
Last but not least you live with the artwork. To ensure the longevity and to maintain the quality you should be aware of any needed conservation aspects. Best is to inform yourself about any requirements when purchasing the artwork.
Every single purchase should bring you joy and inspiration. Well considered purchases will over time become one rich and admired art collection that in itself is an artwork. Aim for nothing less!
Feeling overwhelmed?
Working with an art advisor is a convenient and efficient option.
Christina Blattmann Art Advisory can quickly find artworks based on your requirements and budget. I will also help you to make more informed decisions.
Comments