Artistic Expression

Confidently start curating a home art collection by following these essential tips from four leading regional art experts

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My first piece of advice – whether you’re new to collecting or a seasoned collector – is to buy with your eyes, not your ears.

Some people buy with their ears because they look at art as an investment, which it definitely is, but ultimately this artwork is going to be in your home, so you have to like it aesthetically. You also want to look at art that pleases you; it doesn’t necessarily need to be pretty as sometimes the most disturbing things can be provocative, inspiring and engaging.

Ask yourself, can you live with the artwork?

Advice I give any collector is to ask themselves this question. Because liking it is one thing – I might like a big installation, but could I live with it?

Whether you buy with your eyes or your ears, try to make an informed decision.

If you want to sell it later on will it make a lot of money? Has this artist been shown in museums or biennales? Does he have a lot of promise, is he going places? Has he had a number of solo exhibitions around the world?Who else is buying him? These are all questions that buyers need to ask.

You can buy for the future, not just for now.

Buying art can be a very passionate affair and I know a lot of people who have bought art but they haven’t necessarily hung it up straight away. Maybe they’ve bought it for a second home, or maybe they’re keeping it for later. The fact is, when they saw it they simply couldn’t imagine life without it.

You can buy art to share it with others.