“Art collecting is an incurable disease.” Simon de Pury
Although some think it is an incurable addiction, collecting is a very pleasant occupation and a quest that can add unimaginable value to your life. In the list below we present an overview of the notion of collecting.
In the nearest future you will be able to access expert information on the issues we tackle here.
Step 1: Finding what you love
- Broaden your horizon as much as you can by visiting exhibitions, galleries and museums
- Do not take a start before setting your criteria.
- Do you have dimension or price limits, or material/technical preferences?
- Do not forget, it is possible to build a collection with a modest budget as well!
Collecting for Love
According to a research study on neuroaesthetics conducted at the University College London, the effect of looking at a beautiful artwork on the brain is equivalent to the effect of falling in love.*
- Art can be a profitable as well as a risky investment.
- Choosing the artworks you will live with on the basis of the quality they will add to your life instead of the probability of an increase in their monetary value will be more beneficial for you in the long run.
- If an artwork excites you, if it reminds you of various thoughts, feelings etc, you might have discovered something you love.
- If you feel like you will discover something new each time you look at an artwork you are on the right track to collectorship.
Once you develop your own taste, you may choose to focus on one period, theme or genre if you want you give your collection a direction and to differentiate it.
* This study is led by Prof. Semir Zeki, the Head of the Neuroaesthetics Department at the University College London.
Research
Nowadays, contemporary art is as popular as never before. It is crucial to remain well informed with up-to-date information about the ever growing number of art events and newly emerging artists.
- Attending increasingly frequent artist and curator talks at museums and galleries will allow you to familiarize yourself with art.
- Conducting research into the artist whose works you like and learning the story behind the work will let you build a special bond with that work.
- You may inform yourself by following various local and international art publications, exhibition critics and auction results.
Documentation
Systematically archiving the documents about your acquired artworks will render it much easier for you to evaluate the artwork in the future and to sell it if necessary.
- Keep all the correspondence, emails, receits, invoices and insurance documents.
- Preserving the Certificate of Authenticity will be crucial in future evaluations.
- You may note down the work’s title, year of production, materials, year of purchase and provenance in one table as soon as you acquire an artwork.
- Once you start collecting professionally you may need other instruments for archiving, we will address them in other articles.