What Drives You to Collect Emerging Art?

In recent years, Fine Art has become an asset class of its own. Subject to market forces and speculative investments, artists’ works can command substantial prices at auctions and private sales, resulting in remarkable growth in the general art market. Investing in emerging artists in particular can have the potential for significant financial returns, as emerging artists are relatively unknown and their works are often more affordable compared to established artists; for collectors there is an opportunity for value appreciation over time.

As a collector, understanding the primary reasons you are motivated to invest in Fine Art can make identifying and acquiring work that will resonate and appreciate across the long term easier.

In his book, The Value of Art, according to Michael Findlay there are three main drivers for collecting art; financial value, social value, and intrinsic value and each have the potential for substantial gains in the emerging art market.

Financial Value

Collectors fundamentally driven by financial return alone, need to pay more attention to the lure of trends and hype.  While connecting with work on a personal level may not be your primary motive operandi, being educated on an artist’s history, their creative intentions and skill can be more important than exhibition plans and even industry connections. Artists whose work is bought in large volumes by only few collectors can be subject to volatile market peaks that might pay dividends in the short term but may make longer more profitable returns less likely. If financially motivated, it is key to make sure you are not merely spectating the market but aligning with active industry figures who have a history of identifying emerging talent.

Social Value

The social value of art extends beyond its economic dimensions. Art has the power to evoke emotions, challenge conventions, and serve as a platform for social commentary. Collectors purchasing and promoting the works of emerging artists, are often motivated by the social value of art, enjoying to nurture and encourage artistic talent and actively participate in the growth of the art community at large to the benefit of all. By collecting a diverse array of emerging artists, social collectors demonstrate a sharp eye in recognizing potential earlier than the rest of the art world and make potential gains from the body of their collection rather than through scrupulous assessment of individual performance.

Intrinsic Value

If you are compelled by the intrinsic value of acquiring art, you are primarily drawn by your subjective connection to it. Emerging artists often demonstrate raw talent, willingness to experiment, and unique artistic vision, laying the foundation for intimate connections. Collecting their artwork allows witness to the early stages of an artist’s creative journey. The value of experiencing the artistic growth and progression of an emerging artist can be enriching and fulfilling for the collector as well as being potentially lucrative. These collectors value the opportunity to gain insights into the artist’s inspirations, techniques, and motivations. They appreciate the intimate connection and dialogue with the artist, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the artwork sometimes resulting in preferential collecting opportunities over the span of the artist’s career.

Of course, most often there is a combination of all these factors behind collecting art, but you may identify with one of these core drivers that can help you build a solid collection that not only provides financial benefit in the long term, but is also representative of your personal values and therefore is  satisfying to you AND your investment manager.

By Monique Di Russo (sourced: The Value of Art, Michael Findlay & other commentary unknown)

Why we do what we do…the way we do it.

Many gallery models work on an “exhibition basis” in that an artist is represented by the gallery by way of agreement and is then invited to show a body of work as part of a solo or group exhibition at some point. The work on display in the gallery daily is usually the work produced for these exhibitions and it remains there until such time it is sold. Most galleries do not have capacity or resources to hold stock, therefore what you see on the walls is what you get. When it comes to pricing however this is often not the case…

Some galleries withhold prices from general marketing platforms and to obtain the cost of work, collectors must make an enquiry where the gallery often qualifies and screens buyers before releasing information. This model is promoted and popularised based on exclusivity but often ultimately serves the gallery – not the artist or buyer. However, with over 700 m2 of space and a fully temperature-controlled carpeted stock room we do things a bit differently.

Our model is to not only host solo and group exhibitions throughout the year for a variety of both represented and invited artists, but to also carry pieces outside of exhibition – as soon as our artists are able to offer it. This ensures we carry the most current work and enables us to offer our collectors a wider range of established and emerging artists from around the world, because we are not placing demands on artists to produce large bodies of work within a finite period.

Diversity and inclusivity within the contemporary art sector is our thoroughfare; for artists, collectors and spectators alike. Why? Because there is a wealth of great original art out there that deserves to be seen, and a wealth of people who deserve to buy it. Period.