“Art is standing with one hand extended into the universe and one hand extended into the world and letting ourselves be a conduit for passing energy.”
– Albert Einstein
Building an art collection is more than just a series of deliberate choices. It is personal - a journey of discovery, a lesson of exploration for each individual. We will even go as far as to compare it to an evolutionary process in that over time, you’ll be privy to viewing a unique progression of taste and preference. Because it is an intimate advance - there is no right or wrong way to collect art.
That being said - there are certain milestones that each new collector should aim to achieve, in order to make the most of their collection. In this blog post, we will address the most important aspects that you should consider when building your collection.
The desire to modernise your culture and mark a new stage in your life may lead to the ambition to collect art. You may have just purchased your first home and would like to add a beautiful work of art to your living space that you can appreciate every day. On the other hand, you may have always wished to begin a substantial art collection that will grow in value and become a profitable investment over time. Whatever your motivation for starting to collect art is, you will need some professional guidance to prepare for this undertaking.
Starting an art collection does not have to be difficult. There is much to learn, but you can take proactive steps to acquire original artworks that you adore without paying exorbitant prices. Consider your art collecting strategy to be similar to assembling a network of like-minded team members. You'll need a dynamic and multi collection of players united in pursuit of an aspiration greater than the sum of its parts. In a fractured world economy, where global stress is rife, and commiseration takes preference over reprieve - art represents something greater. You'll be looking for this team and the opportunities they represent in galleries, auction houses, online, artists' studios, and other creative environments. It is critical to contextually shape your collection as part of this process so that you can be discerning and tactical in what you acquire.
Art is a doorway to another dimension - one of beauty, acceptance and tolerance. The art collector is one of notoriety, one who appreciates beauty and aims to create a safe space to enjoy the charm that drips off an artist's tools.
There is a significant distinction between purchasing art and collecting art. Buying art is a more haphazard action based on likes, preferences, or attractions at any given time, whereas collecting art is a more deliberate and long-term commitment. In both cases, you procure what you want, but if you want to collect art properly, you must learn two additional skills. The first is the ability to effectively research, evaluate, and start deciding whether or not to purchase whatever works of art pique your interest. The second requirement is the ability to select each independent work in such a way that it forms a meaningful grouping, referred to as a collection.
If you want to have any sway over the long-term future of your collection, you should start laying the groundwork right now. Inform your family about your assets. Instil pride in what you've achieved and acquired over the years. Make certain that those close to you are conscious of the importance and significance of your art. Make it clear to them how important it is to you. You can't change the outcome, but you can have your say and know you did your best to collect like a pro.