The budget art collection
Art is often overlooked as one of life’s pleasures. A piece that you can relate to, for whatever reason, might bring several years’ worth of meaning into your life, and aesthetically sensitive individuals, being aware of this, are inclined to forgo posters and printed reproductions in order to start collecting original works for their homes and offices.
The only question to ask yourself is whether or not you have an appreciation and liking for unique aesthetic production? If the answer is yes, then you should start to build your collection. The obstacle that many art-lovers face is the prices that original pieces fetch from investors. If, like me, you don’t have an abundance of funds to spend on luxury items and can’t afford the works of well-established artists, then there are a few other options you might want to consider.
If you’re still cultivating your own personal tastes when it comes to art works, then you should consider enquiring at a gallery about their renting policies. If the gallery does rent, you could enjoy the work of a particular artist for a limited period of time and at a fraction of the cost of buying. This option also allows one to continually change and refresh the artwork on display in a home or office while exploring and developing your own palette. Do bear in mind, however, that renting isn’t an investment as you won’t end up owning the piece.
Another option is to investigate artists in training: that is, visit local art schools (I’m referring here to mainly tertiary level institutions) and keep an eye open for student exhibitions. Here you’ll be able to purchase original pieces by up and coming artists at prices that are very much lower than those of works by established artists. Another advantage is that student artists are often keen to develop their own idiom, and are therefore more original and contemporary than their older counterparts. The final possible advantage to going this route is that should one of the young artists become well-known over time, your collection will dramatically appreciate in value.
Artists often hold open houses during the course of the year, and art lovers are welcome to meander through the artist’s studios. Many works will be available for purchase, and you’ll be able to converse with the artist about his/her work and get a real history not only about the piece you’re interested in, but of the artist him/herself.
Very often art collectors are as interested in the career of an artist as they are in their work. Coming across an artist that “speaks” to you in a meaningful or personal way may cause you to make purchases from a single artist rather than to build a diverse and varied collection. A likely bonus to this avenue is that, owing to the specialisation of the collection, it may be more valuable down the road.
Antique shops (and markets) and consignment stores are also known to contain some interesting pieces that have been overlooked by other collectors. Try to keep a keen eye open for works that appeal to you, and don’t fall into the trap of being overly concerned about the appreciation in value of the work over time. Art truly is about subjective experience, and it should be on this ground alone that your decision to purchase a piece or not should reside.
Don’t forget that art doesn’t necessarily refer to works that hang on your wall or occupy three dimensional space. Art house movies are also a great source of emotional, intellectual and emotional stimulation. Whereas you can buy movies, they won’t be one of a kind pieces, but like prints could be seen as a work that belongs to a limited series of productions.
When you have purchased you chosen pieces, it is advised that you have them insured for the value you paid for them. Every few years, shop around for new insurance quotes and have the works re-evaluated because they may have appreciated over time.
Finally, be sure to immerse yourself in the sensual, intellectual and emotive forces of your collection. Art is meant to bring value into your world through adding to your quality of life rather than adding value to your investment portfolio. Remember that whether your collection is simply an occasional hobby or becomes an on-going passion, art is an extension of our imagination and is one of the few truly human pursuits.
