Image Credit: Installation view of RIFTS: Thai contemporary artistic practices in transition, the 1980s – 2000s at BACC Bangkok Source: Timeout Magazine https://www.timeout.com/bangkok/art/rifts In 2013, when Art Basel opened the doors of its first edition in Asia, the New York Times reported: “…this year, Hong Kong, once derided as a cultural desert, nabbed a prize coveted by cities across the region—serving as Art Basel’s only Asian outpost. The inaugural Art Basel Hong Kong, which opens to the public today, has drawn planeloads of collectors and gallery bigwigs from the West, lured here in part by the growing, glittery market”. The fact that the world’s most prestigious art fair had settled in Hong Kong was interpreted as a milestone in Asia’s art market race to success. ART Basel Hong Kong, Source: Mousse Magazine In the past decades, in addition to the western interest in Asian art, a young generation of Asian collectors have begun turning their attention to the regional art scene, with the intent of creating a new model of collecting. A full annual calendar of biennials, shows, and art fairs has increased the region’s international visibility and it boosted the self-confidence of buyers from countries other than China, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore to adventure into collecting Asian art. Nevertheless, two decades is a very short time span for establishing a culture of collecting, therefore, much more art remains to be discovered and enjoyed, making the Asian Art Market one of the most exciting and promising art markets in the world. Here are some reasons why you should start collecting Asian art right now: THE CULTURAL COMPLEXITY AND DIVERSITY A critical question that has preoccupied the scholars is ‘What is contemporary Asian art?’ Contemporary art from Asia is now seen in major international exhibitions around the world, but is there such a thing as contemporary Asian Art when Asia is inhabited by hundreds of ethnicities speaking thousands of languages and dialects and practicing all major religions of the world? Art has been dramatically transformed by the late twentieth-century process of globalization. An extensive exchange between Europe and America on one side and Asia on the other side has led to the uniformity of the art practices across the globe - on the surface. Beneath the surface, contemporary Asian art cannot be removed from the context of tremendous political and economic changes in the region and from its history and cultural heritage, which is making it unique and adding layers of complexity. PHILIPPINES After the independence of the Philippines (1946) the quest for cultural identity began. In the decades that followed, Filipino art has seen fast changes that revived the interest in indigenous and non-Hispanic culture and the break from the colonial past. After an intense modernist period (Jose Joya) dominated by abstract American aesthetics, avant-garde experiments followed (David Cortez Medalla) only to pave the way for conceptual art (Ray Albano and Roberto Chabet). When the social realist-dominated era under the regime of Ferdinand Marcos finally came to an end, artists started to look elsewhere for inspiration reviving an earlier interest in the indigenous communities (Imelda Cajipe Endaya). Currently, many contemporary artists are exploring topics such as mass migration and the socio-political situation. Paytas 2013, Oscar Villamiel, Source: Artsy Oscar Villamiel’s work highlights elements of poverty, consumerism, and religion in his country. During the 2013 Singapore Biennale, he exhibited a large-scale installation Payatas that featured thousands of salvaged doll heads and other items gathered for two-and-a-half years to remember the victims of a tragedy that took place in the Payatas, Quezon City, where a number of unaccounted scavengers died under the collapse of the land. Ronald Ventura is another prominent contemporary Filipino artist known for his unique style and dynamic scenes combining realism, cartoons, and graffiti. Ventura's references range from science fiction, Western history, Asian mythology, Catholicism and popular comic book characters. INDONESIA AND THAILAND Super Jumbo, 2011, Heri Dono, Source: The New York Times As the first Indonesian artist to break into the global art scene during the early 1990s, Heri Dono's work is highly appreciated for his use of traditional art forms such as Hindi literature, Wayang puppetry, Javanese metaphysics, recycling techniques and a wicked sense of humor. These creative practices express Dono’s commitment to social justice and his interest in revitalizing arts that are deeply rooted in Indonesian traditions. Thai artist Piyarat Piyapongwiwat uses her art as a platform to give a voice to marginalized groups and to highlight the difficulties faced by artists in a military-run country like Thailand. The many other examples of the very complex art practice specific to contemporary Asian artists should determine any person with an interest in art to start a personal voyage of discovery and to build connections with the art produced in the region. ECONOMIC REASONS There has always been a direct relationship between the wealth of society and the art market since art collecting is the privilege of individuals having disposable income. According to the World Wealth Report report, HNWI population in the Asia-Pacific region in 2020 was 6.9 million with a cumulated wealth of US$24 trillion, ranking second after North America, a year-on-year increase of 5.8% and 8.4%, respectively. Source: https://worldwealthreport.com/reports/population/north-america/ Furthermore, according to The World Economic Forum, in 2020, an estimated 2 billion Asians were members of the middle class and that number is set to increase to 3.5 billion by 2030. In comparison, middle-class membership in the Americas is expected to hit 689 million in 2030, currently counting 647 million in 2020. Source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/the-rise-of-the-asian-middle-class Asia is looking great in statistics, a strong reason for optimistic predictions for the art market in the near future. A growing middle class is a sign of economic health and it is expected to translate into increasing demand for art and further market appreciation for contemporary Asian artists, as can already be observed in the secondary art market. Major auction houses (Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips) are hosting Contemporary Asian Art sales with great success. GROWING POTENTIAL Considering the affordability of the Asian art market, when compared to the established western nations, now is the ideal time to start collecting or expanding your collection of Asian contemporary art. Asian artists have been steadily making waves, and history, amid decades of growth. But despite seeing a positive trend, there are still many under-evaluated artists with an incontestable historical value. For example, Kazuo Shiraga’s paintings are sold for millions at auction, in comparison with other pioneer members of the Gutai movement being sold in the lower hundreds; the same could be said about the post-war generation of conceptual Filipino artists or the Indonesian and Thai contemporary artists. 10,000 Paintings I Must Paint Before I Die, 2009, Roberto Chabet, Source: Asia Art Archive Having said this, there are many contemporary artists whose markets remain primary. The number of artists that had no exposure to the auction system makes up a substantial part of Asia’s emerging contemporary art landscape. Many Asian artists are successful in their country through their studios, local galleries, or cultural institutions, but haven’t yet had the opportunity to establish themselves on the international scene. Closing this gap is possible by enabling technology to connect artists and collectors. This comes as a big responsibility for art platforms and art marketplaces such as RtistiQ. A FUNCTIONAL ART ECOSYSTEM A growing Asian network of art institutions, art events, art academics and professionals is crucial in the effort of the self-determination of contemporary Asian art. To quote the director of one of the most ground-breaking art spaces, Para Site Hong Kong, Cosmin Costinas: “There are great efforts currently done to decolonize the world of art, from what is being said and by whom they are being said, to how we understand institutions and funding and the power structures that lie behind them.” Growing an art infrastructure focused on Asian art is crucial for the art market to reach its potential. These institutions are playing a key role in researching, documenting, and recording artists, art movements, their interconnections, together with the socio-political and economical context from which they have emerged, ultimately validating artists independently from the Western art recognition system. In the past decades, many blue-chip dealers (Pace Gallery, Gagosian, White Cube, and David Zwirner) have been setting up outposts in Asia, especially in Hong Kong but most importantly, many homegrown galleries have become internationally successful and are able to foster the careers of Asian artists. The institutional scene has also come a long way with the opening of many private and public museums and art institutions: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Singapore Art Museum, MACAN Jakarta, Mori Art Museum Tokyo, soon to be open M+ Museum Hong Kong, Asia Art Archive Hong Kong, BACC Bangkok, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum in Chiang Mai. In normal times, a full art calendar of major art events is keeping the art enthusiasts busy for the entire year: Biennale: Gwangju Biennale (South Korea) Busan Biennale (South Korea) Bangkok Art Biennale Thailand Shanghai Biennale China Taipei Biennial Taiwan Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India Guangzhou Triennial, China Art Fairs: Art Basel Hong Kong Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair India Art Fair Tokyo International Art Fair Art Fair Philippines Art Jakarta, Indonesia Discover emerging Asian artists on RtistiQ and start collecting their art available in our latest curated collection ASIAN ART TO COLLECT. https://art.rtistiq.com/en/collections/asian-artists-to-collect- Author: Floarea Baenziger

RtistiQ

10 Jul 2021

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Art collectors are buying more work online than ever before. Obviously, a major factor over the last year has been the pandemic. The push for contactless purchasing drove online art buys through the roof, but that is an extreme spike that matches a growing trend. So while the pandemic kicked things into high gear, the market was already trending towards more online art purchases year after year. We now live in an art market dominated by online sales. While things open up, this will likely drop a bit, but there is no question that going forward, online art buying is a major factor. So you might be wondering, then, why do art collectors buy online? Especially in non-pandemic conditions? Well, it turns out there are a lot of really good reasons people buy art online. We’ll examine the most important below. Availability Availability is, more than any other factor, the most important reason that art collectors are going online to look for their next purchase. Think about it: if you want to buy art in person, it needs to be available within traveling distance. If not, you might need to hire an art advisor or art dealer to find and procure the work for you. If you don’t have the money to hire a specialist to find and buy art for you, then you might have to actually travel yourself to find what’s available. But if you don’t have the resources to buy art through an advisor or dealer, what are the chances you can go jet setting around to different art markets looking for your next favorite painting? Of course, it can be incredibly fulfilling to find art by going to local art fairs and galleries. But the reality is that no matter how great of an art market you live in — whether it's New York City, Los Angeles, London, or anywhere else — there is more work available online than in your area. To make matters even more compelling for online art sales, many emerging artists are only available online. And as technology like NFTs push more artwork into the purely digital realm, further increasing the availability gap between online and offline. Convenience Something that many online platforms have leveraged to disrupt their given industry is ease of use. In the art market, it’s no different. The fact is, you can scroll through hundreds and even thousands of artworks in an afternoon from the comfort of your home. Once you find exactly what you are looking for, you can then put in your payment information and delivery instructions (for most of us, that’s already preloaded in our browser) and then be done with the transaction. That process is so simple and direct compared to many forms of art buying. Like every other sector of the economy, online sellers have found convenience to be their silver bullet. And that silver bullet is especially effective in an often confusing and sometimes hard to navigate market like art. Things Can Be Clearer Speaking of the confusion in the art market, another major benefit of buying online is the clarity of terms. When working with art dealers and art advisors, prices are not always fixed. Buying art isn’t like buying furniture or clothes. Terms can sometimes be in flux. If there are multiple interested buyers, you might find yourself in an impromptu blind auction. But when work is posted for sale online, everything is usually laid out crystal clear. This allows the buyer to know exactly what to expect and just how much it will really cost. That clarity can be very attractive to art collectors, especially when they do not have an enormous amount of time and money to devote to buying. Price Despite our desire to patronize local businesses, we all have to admit that we buy many things online on price alone. Art works the same way. The fact is, art is often less expensive online. Even when buying from an online gallery with retail markup, the lack of overhead often means lower prices than as offered at physical Art Galleries or Art Fairs. Online Galleries and Marketplaces offer a much more lower markup for their services, which makes more of the artworks affordable to your price point. With better prices, clear terms, greater convenience, and unbeatable availability — online art buying is becoming a favorite option among many art collectors. While the online space will never fully replace the joy of visiting a gallery or local art fair, it will continue to grow as a part of the art market. Why wait? Shop online today on www.rtistiq.com. Enjoy 7 Day Delivery & 14 Day Return policy for all users.

RtistiQ

06 Jun 2021

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Online sales is the fastest-growing part of the art market. And if you are reading this article, chances are you are curious to join in the excitement. It makes sense to buy art online, after all, we buy everything online now. From toaster ovens to holiday decorations to books, we’ve become accustomed to ordering things we want on the internet and then waiting for that exciting moment when the delivery hits our doorstep. But before you dive in and start buying art online, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Below, we’ll cover the five essential tips for buying art online. Then, you’ll be ready to fill your home with beautiful work! 1. Choose a Space If you are looking to buy a fine art print or painting, you likely already have a space in mind. Maybe you want it to go over the fireplace in the den or fit on the wall in your kitchen. If the room in question has a sleek, modern appeal, an exaggerated landscape might not be what you are looking for. Just think about the colors and the style. You don’t want to hang your new masterpiece only to find that it clashes with your sofa! Knowing where the art will go leads into the next point. 2. Get the Size Right When it comes to art buying, size matters. That means you need to pull out the tape measure from your junk drawer and write down the dimensions of the space on your wall you are looking to cover. Now, the painting you buy doesn’t have to fit these dimensions exactly, but it does need to have enough room. On the flip side, you don’t want to go too small, that can end up looking awkward. If you are looking to buy art for a wall that is wide open, you won’t have to limit yourself too much to the dimensions. But you will still want to make sure that the painting can hold its own in the space. Some of the online galleries such as RtistiQ, also offer IOS and Android mobile Apps, which feature Augemented Reality as a functionality to project and preview the Artwork of choice on your wall directly to both see the fitment as well as how it would look alongside the aesthetics presented by the room. (Note: Remember the orientation of a work of art when checking it’s dimensions. This might seem too obvious to mention, but people have purchased artwork only to find that it fits the space — but only if you turn it sideways!) 3. Set a Budget, No Really Once you have a clear idea of the size and style, you need to set a budget. Maybe this goes without saying, but you need to be realistic about what you can afford. On the other hand, you also need to be realistic about what you can get for your money. Don’t sell yourself short, but don’t overextend yourself. Artwork range from as low as 50 dollars from the relatively unknown Artists to hundreds of thousands from the more established artists. Yes it is the reality that people have started to trust online platforms selling quailty artworks to spend more hundred thousand for buying artwork online. Online Art galleries offer specific periods to check the Artwork and accept returns on a fully refundable manner. Check out these beautiful affordable artworks on RtistiQ at less than thousand dollars, which do not pinch your pockets. 4. Take the Time to Research (And Ask Questions) When you hear the word “research,” your eyes might start to glaze over. You might feel a yawn coming on. Is it time for a nap? But the good news about researching art is that it is a lot of fun. It means you get to look at many great paintings and reflect on what you like about them and how they would fit in your home or office. Regularly doing this will give you a better idea of the styles you like, the prices you can expect, and the work available in your budget. While you are researching, feel free to reach out to artists you like and online stores. Ask questions! But you can get stuck in the research mode forever. At some point, you need to make a decision. And that leads us to our next point. 5. Buy What You Love Now you’ve narrowed down your decision. You know where you want your work of art to go, roughly the size it needs to be, the style you like, maybe even the artist you want to buy from. You have your eye set on a few options that all fit into your budget. All you need to do is buy one. And when you are buying art, you should always end up going with the one you love. If you don’t know what that means, you might not have found it yet. It’s the one that calls out to you, that just has to be yours. This is a work of art that you will share your living or workspace with for years. It’s important that you go with the one that your heart really desires. If you do listen to your heart, you’ll find the perfect painting or fine art print waiting at your doorstep. Additional References Check out these additional Articles on how to choose artworks for the specific space of interest Choosing Art for Different Rooms - Gives an snap-shot view about how to choose works for different parts of your home Choosing Art for Living Room - Give a more comprehensive view about selecting the right works for your living room based on the Aesthetics and personality you would like to present. Author: Jonathan M Clark

RtistiQ

28 May 2021

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At this point, we have seen so many artworks sell for unbelievable prices that we have trouble keeping up. Of course, when a true masterpiece like Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi sells for $450.3 million we can try to understand. That’s several large fortunes put together, but it’s a world-historic treasure. Remember earlier this year when somebody spent $69 million on a JPG file? That can be a lot harder to justify, and we will delve into the specifics of this deal in a separate article. We might just chalk this up to the eccentricities of extreme wealth. These are centimillionaires and billionaires who have so much wealth that they lose touch with reality. But that doesn’t quite explain it, does it? That answer is more of a shrug than an insight. So why do people spend so much money on art? What’s the psychology underlying this phenomenon? And what are the real factors at play? Let’s examine it in-depth below: Cultural and Aesthetic Significance: Art has always reflected human creativity, history, and culture. Owning a significant artwork allows individuals to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of artistic expression throughout the ages. Collectors appreciate the aesthetic beauty, craftsmanship, and unique perspectives conveyed by artists, and they are driven by a desire to preserve and enjoy these cultural treasures. By owning valuable pieces, they contribute to safeguarding artistic heritage for future generations. Art as an Investment: One of the most important things to understand when you see the big time price tags is that art retains value very well. A major art purchase is more like buying a house than buying a car. A car will almost never increase in value over time, especially as you add miles to the odometer. But a house, depending on how you treat it and the changes in the neighborhood over time, can easily increase in value. That means when you move out of a house, you can make a profit when you resell. When people spend millions on art, they are usually thinking of it as an investment. They might genuinely love the work of art and enjoy having it on their walls for years to come, but they expect to be able to recoup the cost later on down the road. And, with a bit of luck, they might make a lot of money on it. And for people with vast amounts of wealth, they need to park their money somewhere. Having money sitting around in a bank account isn’t able to create value. But buying art can lead to a profit in the long run — and it’s a much more pleasurable way to invest your money than stocks, real estate, or other more traditional means. So it’s important to remember that when someone spends millions on a work of art, it’s more like parking their money in artwork for a period of time. Reputation, Status and Prestige: Art ownership has been associated with status, prestige, and social recognition for centuries. Let’s face it, being the winning bidder at a Christie’s auction can set you apart as a leading collector in the art world. Being a major player is a part of what drives many rich people to spend their wealth on big ticket items. Whether you have an amazing yacht, a fantastic getaway mansion in the mountains, or a world class collection of 18th century European paintings — it’s a way of garnering prestige and cultivating a luxurious lifestyle. Acquiring high-value artworks allows individuals to display their refined taste and discernment in the art world. These investments become symbols of wealth and sophistication, elevating the collector's reputation within elite circles. Art collections often serve as a tangible representation of personal success and cultural refinement, positioning collectors as influential patrons of the arts. Big time art buyers can even influence general tastes and become sought after presences at major auctions and art events. It’s a form of status symbol and belonging to a group. Emotional Connection and Personal Enjoyment: Art possesses a unique ability to evoke deep emotions and captivate our imagination. Collectors often develop profound connections with specific artists or works, drawn to the narrative, symbolism, or technical brilliance that resonates with them. Acquiring a unique piece allows individuals to experience a sense of fulfilment, joy, and intellectual stimulation in their daily lives, creating an endless source of inspiration and pleasure. Support for Artists and Art Institutions: By investing millions in art, collectors also play a vital role in supporting artists and art institutions. These acquisitions give artists the resources and recognition they need to continue their creative endeavours. Galleries, museums, and auction houses benefit from the patronage of collectors, enabling them to curate exhibitions, promote artistic talent, and preserve cultural heritage. Many of the Museums and Art Galleries are predominantly supported by donations from the elites who have been generous in keeping the cultural heritages intact. What Is the Value of Art? The last reason gets at the heart of how virtually endless supplies of money reveals the true relative value of items. If you don’t have a lot of money, you’re going to spend most or all of it on the essentials: rent, groceries, the electric bill, gasoline, etc. Just getting by eats up most people’s money. But if you have a lot of money, those needs become a much smaller amount of your budget. Yes, rich people might spend more on food, but spending ten times as much on buying fancy groceries is nothing if you are in the ultra-rich category. This excess wealth can be spent on many things. Luxury travel, palatial homes, Rolex watches, and all the other trappings of high society. But some rich people love art. And that’s where things get interesting. How much is a painting really worth? Most of us could never afford to spend thousands, let alone millions, on art. We have a hard enough time covering the car payment and paying for our kids to take music lessons. But the rich do have the means to spend huge sums on anything they want. And the high prices of art reveal that people are willing to spend a lot on art because it’s worth it to them. The emotional power of a painting, the historic importance of a sculpture, the hypnotic allure of a fine art photograph. When you don’t have to worry about everyday expenses, these joys reveal their full value. And as art lovers, can we really disagree? Conclusion The decision to spend millions on art represents a complex interplay of cultural appreciation, personal enjoyment, social status, and investment potential. Collectors are driven by a deep passion for art, the desire to surround themselves with beauty, and the opportunity to contribute to the art world's vibrant ecosystem. Whether it is the emotional connection with a particular artwork, the pursuit of prestige, or the potential for financial gains, investing in art allows individuals to weave themselves into the fabric of artistic history while creating a legacy that transcends time. Author: Jonathan M Clark

RtistiQ

16 May 2021

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One question that has haunted an artist since time immemorial is that “How can I protect the integrity and credibility of my artwork so that it’s value keeps on appreciating?” Be it Da Vinci or Donatello or Raja Ravi Varma, all of them would have gone through these thoughts in various phases of their lives. As the human brain evolved, everything evolved and developed along with it. Over a period of time different art styles evolved all over the world and along with it evolved the ways and hacks to steal and infringe or forge those art styles. Even when the law and enforcement bodies came out with laws and other tactics to reduce the art thieves’ ability to take advantage of the artists, the con artists also evolved their different ingenious ways to work around the system. Art Thefts and Forgeries are the dark side of the beautiful world of aesthetics that a common person sees. What a layman relishes in galleries and museums or online platforms is just the tip of the iceberg, if one goes deep into the world of art one will see the other side of it as well. Art thefts and forgeries are run by parallel underground black markets where the dealers who are in a number of occasions themselves are art connoisseurs and curators. It is a highly sophisticated and well-run business. So much so that most of the government law enforcement agencies all around the world have their respective white-collar crimes divisions which run their investigations on a large scale. If one would like to have an experience of how this whole world runs one should definitely watch a series called White Collar, in which a white-collar crimes officer of the FBI teams up with a con artist to nab the bad guys. We have earliest records of art theft and forgeries as early as the Medieval Period or what the Europeans call the Middle Ages. It is very difficult to say the exact year and place where the first theft or infringement took place but it is in literature of these periods from around the world that points at these unfortunate acts. Back in the early days, artists who were very well versed in their crafts used to take certain measures to protect the integrity of their works. Like it is common knowledge that most of the painters used to mark their paintings with what you can call a mark of originality or a painter’s coded symbol of sorts through which the most exquisite buyers found out whether this is an original work or a forgery. There are also references of well-known artists auctioning their works in known, trustworthy circles to make sure that they control the movements of their master pieces. There are some really innovative methods which were used in the earlier times but we only got to know about them with the development of technology. Like, a lot of sculptors in Europe used to hide a coded message in the form of paper scrolls inside their sculptures, the buyers were the only told where inside the sculpture is the scroll hidden and they would check it by knocking that area which was hollow so it made a different kind of sound. It is through the X-Ray that the museums today found out that these sculptures had a scroll hidden in them. All this validates the fact that the artists in the earlier years were aware and weary of art thieves and tried to use a lot of techniques to tackle them. Now let us fast forward to the 21st century. The art world has grown and evolved a lot in all the aspects like artists coming up with new techniques and innovations, new laws and checks have come up with regard to the originality and exchange and ownership of art and along with this as a part and parcel the black market has also evolved and adapted to the changes. In this world of digitization and e-commerce there have been a lot of advantages to the artists who adapted to the tech savvy world. But along with the goods, evils are not far behind, as even the black market adapted to the tech savvy millennial way of life. In this age of digitization, the artists have been able to make their websites and use various online platforms to reach out to the whole world. Now a customer sitting in the US can buy an art work of an Indian who works from a small village in Srikalahasti. But however, along with these advantages, there are also the drawbacks of art thieves and forgers having access to the works of these artists. To tackle these new world problems, the various e commerce platforms and governing bodies have come up with some new age solutions. The most common thing that all the artists these days do is patenting and copywriting their works. This is the least one can do. But along with this, there are some other hacks that the online platforms and artists do like posting either a cropped or a low resolution image of their work online. This way even if an illegal art dealer does get his/her hands on the photo, he/she will not be able to expand it and get a good resolution image to forge or infringe. Along with this, it is usually recommended by the cyber-crimes units all over the world to watermark the photo of the artwork especially through the tiling method. This way even if someone tries to infringe the work and remove the watermark that person can be apprehended by the authorities. Along with all these systems in place to protect artworks, the online e commerce platforms like RtistiQ have used latest technologies to add an additional layer of security for their artworks. They use hacks like NFC Tags, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence to maintain a digital footprint of their work along with its provenance that an artist can get notified every time his or her artwork is bought and who bought it. This also helps in avoiding the middlemen who are basically the reason why these thefts happen. It is a reality of the art world that along with all the glamour it also has the darker side attached to it and that is every artist’s biggest nightmare. But as time is evolving new innovations are being made to tackle these issues. One can only hope that the situation gets better. Author: Kush Dhebar

RtistiQ

15 Mar 2021

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Guidelines For Amateur Art Collectors Art collection in these modern times is no longer the prerogative of the super-rich and not limited to the niche territory it was once confined to. The recent decade has seen a lot of amateurs especially the well-educated, well-heeled younger crowd, showing an active interest in art collections. The advent of technology which has helped create a digital world has played a pivotal role in making art accessible to larger section of people across the globe. This technological advancement coupled with the availability of information, guides and articles on this subject has led to an unprecedented rise in amateur art collectors. Having said that, art collection especially for an amateur can often be an overwhelming as well as a daunting experience. But with a few guidelines in mind to help tackle the process, anyone with an appreciation for art and a genuine passion for the process can be an art collector, whether they are part of a Sotheby auction process, rummaging through a garage sale or even browsing online. Be Cognizant Of Your Preferences Art collection is not something which can happen overnight. It takes time and effort. The first step would be to understand the kind of art that excites you and stirs your soul and in a way, speaks to you. This is a very personal space and requires you to invest time to explore various kinds and medium, till you find the perfect fit. It is also important to keep in mind that preferences are susceptible to change over time and can range over multiple styles and medium. What is important is to keep an open mind and observe the sort of work that evokes emotions within yourself. Invest Time And Energy For Research This is one of the most important steps which many amateurs do not give the importance it deserves. Proper research helps you take informed decisions and makes the entire process more enjoyable and stress free. So, what can you research about? You can read up and gather information about your preferred art medium, the iconic artists associated with it, the terminology used, current trends in the market etc. Give yourself time to experience art. This could be by visiting galleries, browsing bookstores, local art markets or whatever sparks your interest. Be aware of what kindles emotions or sparks interest and what kind of details pull you in further. This material can be used as your reference point. Once you have a fair idea of what you are looking for then it becomes easier to zero in on where to locate it. In recent times, any medium from estate sales to Facebook is a potential location. Plan And Create A Suitable Budget It is imperative to get your priorities right. Do you want to decorate your space or build a collection? This will help you decide how many pieces and what type to purchase, based on the disposable income you have set aside. Signing up for relevant newsletters from reputed art websites is a good idea to help compare prices and stay up to date on the latest art works in the market. Online galleries can also be a good place to invest your time on as they curate and introduce a plethora of talented artists. It is also advisable to try and contact the artist directly or sign up for a service that helps connect with the artists directly, once you have found an artwork that appeals to you. In many cases the original piece of artwork may be more affordable that we give it credit for. Quality Assurance With the range and volume of artwork that are available for an amateur collector today, determining the quality of the artwork is of utmost importance. Paintings, especially in the abstract art category can often be confusing to a beginner. It is said that every piece of art will have an intention behind it, it will have something to say. An artwork of quality even if it is abstract will have a story to convey. It will rarely be, a random composition. It is most likely to be inspired by real life and will translate that in terms of abstract symbols. It can also be a translation of the artist’s moods and emotions, rather than a depiction of just objects. So the only way to become better at identifying paintings of quality whatever be the medium, is to look and study as many paintings as possible in that particular category as well as try and understand the history and significance of that particular piece of work. Delve into the provenance of the piece as well as the time in the artist’s career that this piece was made. This will help decide on the fairness of the pricing. Investing in professionals such as consultants and curators is also a good way to assure the quality of the painting, provided you have the resources. Listen To Your Heart And March To Your Own Beat Finally, it is especially important to ensure that the piece of art you have invested in makes you happy, unless you are collecting for commercial reasons. It should be a reflection of yourself and your personality and something which you see yourself being comfortable with. Often the return on investment is usually your happiness.

RtistiQ

11 Dec 2020

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Protect Your Art Collection Like An Expert You are an art connoisseur, and you love your collection. After all, art is precious and sometimes passed on from generation to generation. But the artwork is also susceptible to damage, the most common being breakages, tears, smudges, fingerprints, stains from food or smoke, poor storage, intense sunlight, humidity etc. The good news is that it is easy to protect your artwork from this damage. Below are some tips you could use to protect and safely store your precious collection. Handle Your Painting With Care First things first - handling a painting carefully is an essential part of maintaining the novelty of your painting. You should handle only one painting at a time, despite size or weight. Do not touch a painting with oily or dirty fingers. Try not to touch the painted part of the canvas; hold it from the sides or corner as much as possible. You could minimize contact by wearing cotton gloves. And remember to remove any accessories like watches or jewelry before you handle a painting. Hanging Your Artwork Secondly, you need to take care in hanging the artwork. Use appropriate size wall hooks, and it is better if these are driven into wall studs. If the artwork is heavy or oversized, it is best to use a wall anchor. To provide additional support, you could mount a bracket under the painting to support its weight. You should ensure that no loose end of a hanging wire or screw pokes into the canvas from behind, as this could cause a bulg,e or worse, hole in the painting over time. Always remember to periodically check any mechanical items used to hang a painting, including screws, hooks, cords, or wires. This way, you would be able to spot a potential fall event before it happens and can prevent any damage to your painting. The Right Spot To Hang Your Artwork Third, selecting a proper spot to hang an artwork is essential. An artwork created with any paint is susceptible to long exposures to direct sunlight. Some types of colours may fade slower than others, but most colors fade in sunlight. Hence, do not put paintings where direct sunlight falls on them. If you cannot find such a place, then it's recommended to frame it behind UV-protected glass. A painting can be protected against dirt and grime damage by varnishing it. It is advisable not to hang a painting on top of a heat source since the hot air will carry all dirt and grime with it upwards, which may deposit on your painting. Heat can also soften the paint, thus making it easier for more soot to deposit on the painting and causing irreparable damage. Varnish may also protect from UV rays and smoke. It would be best if you used removable varnish to keep the painting as a family heirloom. This can be removed when the painting yellows, thus returning its original glory. The artwork can be re-varnished to provide protection again. Water is another danger to the life of your painting. It can cause paint loss by loosening the adhesion of the paints. Hence, protect your painting from water or other liquids. Also, a painting needs balanced and consistent humidity to retain its freshness. Low humidity makes the paint brittle and may cause mechanical damage, while high humidity can promote mold growth. And frequent fluctuations in relative humidity are bad for wooden panel paintings. The wood can change its shape and become concave with changes in humidity and heat. Trying to flatten the wood may cause the paint to flake off. Keeping Your Paintings Dust Free Now, let's look at how to clean a painting safely. If the painting is not damaged, you can dust it using a clean, dry, soft, natural-hair artist's brush. However, it should be avoided for a painting with a matte surface. While dusting a painting, ensure it is vertical so the dust falls away from the surface of the painting. Also, never use dry or moist dust cloths, stiff bristle brushes, or dust feathers to dust a painting. The Right Way To Store Your Art Lastly, sometimes you may need to store your art for various reasons. The best way to store art is to wrap it in brown paper, then wrap it in bubble wrap, place frame corners on all corners, then place the wrapped-up artwork in a solid box. The box size should be appropriate, so the painting does not move while transferring. For unframed works on paper, use plastic sleeves with acid-free cardboard to make sure the paper doesn't bend with time. Some of the rules for hanging a painting also apply to storage. For example, do not store in a hot, humid, dirty place, meaning avoid storage in basements or attics. Also, regularly open and check the artwork if you need to store it for longer. If you have any doubts, you could seek professional support through art conservators.

RtistiQ

04 Dec 2020

5 min to read

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