In this guest blog post, Katy Foxcroft from Clarendon Fine Art provides her thoughts on why you can’t go wrong when buying art with the heart.
Art buying is no longer an art form. The truth behind buying art is that anyone can do it. It is no longer a hobby for the wealthy or just for investment. Owning a piece of art and displaying it on your walls can be transformative. It can completely change your aesthetics and show off your character.
Purchasing art was long considered an elitist hobby but the emergence of high street galleries and online art galleries has created an accessible, fun way to own art. New and emerging artists are given a platform to display and exhibit their work. There is still an enigma at the higher end when buying original masters through the top auction houses… that I admit still is an art form and it is advisable to do plenty of research and consult an expert for advice. Buying art is usually a long-term asset so again, it helps if you love it.
There are a few golden rules when buying art for your home.
- Buy art with the heart. Buy it because you love it. If it makes you feel something the way listening to your favourite music does. Art can be uplifting, make you smile, make you cry, be nostalgic but above all if it gives you joy, then it’s the right choice.
- Buy it if it’s your favourite artist, you love it and it’s a limited edition that will sell out. Don’t wait as once it’s gone, it’s gone. The same can be said for an original piece. I’ve had the experience that whilst someone was deliberating in the gallery over an original, it was sold on the website! We all have access to the same collection online!
- Limited Editions vs Originals. It is usually the case that originals are best however, sometimes the originals are way over our budget. If your favourite artist now commands such a huge price for their originals, a signed limited edition can be a more suitable solution.
- Secondary Market vs Buying New: Often you can find some hidden gems on the secondary market (pre-owned). There are many reasons for people to sell their artwork collection – perhaps they have inherited it and it’s not to their taste, perhaps they are downsizing or moving abroad. The valuable secondary market for 20th Century masters usually are sold in auction houses or specialist online art traders but they can crop up anywhere. We have a huge selection in our gallery of 20th Century artists such as Pablo Picasso, L.S.Lowry, Salvador Dali and many more.
- Current top artists: Andy Warhol – we have seen a surge in sales of his signed editions, Jack Vettriano – demand is high and supply is low, Damien Hirst continues to be popular and we have a wide range or his work available.
- Art as an investment: always seek advice and visit your local gallery to speak to an art consultant. There are specialist art advisors in all the Clarendon Fine Art galleries (over 90 galleries in the UK). However, don’t expect to get rich quick. If we all knew who the next Banksy was… we’d all be buying it!
Please visit the gallery or give me a call and I can work on a one-to-one consultative service to find you the very best of what you love.
Author:
Katy Foxcroft, Gallery Manager
Clarendon Fine Art – York
9, Davygate, York, YO1 8QR
