Everyone loves the idea of buying art. Not only is it a joy to own a beautiful picture that you love, but that picture can sometimes be a good investment. However, how do you go about buying art when you know little or nothing about it? Pixie Andrew, curator at Will’s Art Warehouse (where pieces sell for between £50 and £3000) has been kind enough to give us her tips on what to look for and what to do when you’re buying art. And, with the Affordable Art Fair just around the corner, there’s no better time to start thinking about taking the plunge.
Pixie’s tips:
1. Ask about the artist, and how the piece was made. Like many art dealers I work closely with my artists, and enjoy finding out how they make their work, what their inspirations are – anecdotes that I love sharing with customers to help them feel a closer connection to the artist and the artwork.
2. Go with an open mind – sometimes you might think you want an oil painting but then you fall in love with a photograph or a sculpture instead!
3. Sleep on it. We are happy for customers to take work away to live with for a few days, giving you a chance to discuss the piece with partners and family before committing to it.
4. Check out art fairs like the Affordable Art Fair where you can see over 100 galleries (including Will’s Art Warehouse) in one fun day out.
5. Trust your taste. Don’t feel intimidated by buying art, the most important consideration is how you respond to the piece on a very personal level. Buy what you love. Whether or not it goes up in value, you will have the pleasure of its company for many years to come, and may even pass it on to the next generation.
But most of all – ENJOY the flutter you feel when you finally find the piece for you – it will feel right and will make you tick every time you look at it.
You can also buy original works at affordable prices from New Blood Art, while Surface View is excellent for print, canvas and poster reproductions from a range of galleries such as the V&A and Natural History Museum, and photographers such as Slim Aarons and Nic Miller. Whilst they may not be collectible pieces, you can buy massively sized works at a great price.
Art (from top): Autumn Beeches, £3995, Jonathan Pocock; Fop, £399 unframed, Adam Oliver; Waves will Rise screenprint, £150, Tom Frost; Beach cricket, Red sky mixed media, £750, Dan Parry Jones; Galia, £260, Maria Rivans. All available through Will’s Art Warehouse.
The Affordable Art Fair runs from 7th – 10th March in Battersea Park (tickets from £10) and 26th – 28th April in Bristol (tickets from £4)
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