ART | Where to buy art?
Where to buy art?
Hands up who would love to invest in art by local artists or learn what to buy and when? The art world can be a little overwhelming to navigate but there are so many opportunities to add personality to your home with your purchases once you know where to look.
This list is by no means exhaustive but it will give you a good sense of how to get started on your timeless art collection.
Artwork | Dan Jamiseon Warhol Burger, So Hot Right Now
1 | COMMERCIAL GALLERIES - galleries usually represent a number of artists and sell works on their behalf. What is on display at galleries will rotate and gallerists will often showcase what is in their stockroom on their website or by request. My very first “adult pieces” I ever bought was a work by Evi O from Saint Cloche Gallery. Sign up to gallery newsletters to get previews of upcoming shows.
2 | ARTISTS - buying direct from artists provides a nice opportunity to be able to have a conversation with them about the work, how it was made and what it means to the artist. Usually buying direct from an artist will only be possible when an artist is starting out and not represented by a gallery. Alternatively art fairs like The Other Art Fair give unrepresented artists an opportunity to showcase their work.
3 | ART FAIRS - as you try and work out what you like I would definitely recommend heading to art fairs like The Other Art Fair and Sydney Contemporary to see a range of galleries and artists showcasing work all in one space.
4 | AUCTION HOUSES - auction houses sell work on the secondary market which means they have already been owned by someone else. Subscribe to auction houses like Deutscher and Hackett, Leonard Joel and Menzies Art Brands to stay updated with their upcoming auctions and view catalogues online. Be aware that works bought at auction will incur a Buyer’s Premium that you should budget for.
5 | OP SHOP ART - buying art for every budget can be hard. if your budget doesn’t stretch as far as you would like you may be able to pick up something that makes you smile from an op shop, market or garage sale. My biggest tip would be to look past the frame. Would the work look better with a less complicated frame (plain white, black, timber)?
6 | ART CLASS - a life drawing class can be a great activity to do with friends. Hot tip: take a creative friend with you and trade your works after class. Not only will you get to have someone else’s squiggle, it will also remind you of “that time we went to a life drawing class”. In Melbourne I have been to Drop In Life Drawing at the Rochester Hotel (Melbourne) and Sunday Sketch Club at Art on King (Sydney). I have also started to see some virtual life drawing classes pop up which might satisfy the introvert or those in lockdown.
Art won’t necessarily be a fast find but searching for that illusive piece of art you love and will keep forever is part of the process so look broadly and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Want more in depth information on how to buy and hang art for any budget? Check out my Workshop page to register for the Art for interiors workshop or message me an image of your wall on instagram for some assistance with your art selections.