Art must be life, it must belong to everybody
Marina Abramovic
Buying original art is a great way to decorate and personalize your living space. It adds colour, texture, and interest to a room, expresses your personality and taste, and makes your home feel like a reflection of who you are. It can also provide a window into different ways of seeing the world, enriching your life and expanding your horizons.
But how does one go about building a personal and meaningful art collection? Here are some suggestions based on my own experience.
Tips for creating a personal and meaningful art collection
Collect what you love: It’s important to collect art that speaks to you personally. Art that makes you feel something. Don’t worry about what others think is “good” art or what might be a good investment. Collect what you are drawn to and what resonates with you. I often buy art based on an initial ‘gut’ feeling, and only explore why I was drawn to it after it’s hung on my wall. (Hint: it’s usually some combination of colour, shape and line…)
Start small and build gradually: Building a collection takes time and it’s okay to start small. It’s better to slowly add work that you love than to try to build a large collection all at once. Your tastes will change over time, and often, living with a piece of art for awhile helps inform your next purchase.
You might also interpret this tip literally; the price of art tends to increase with its size. I love purchasing artworks that fit in the palm of my hand; they look lovely when displayed together on a wall or sitting on a shelf. Small pieces are a great gateway to acquiring larger works by the same artist.
Educate yourself: Learn as much as you can about the artists and art movements that interest you. This will help you make informed decisions about what to collect and will also enhance your appreciation of the art you own. Attending local gallery shows and art fairs is a great way to see a lot of art in a short time. Think of it as taking a ‘condensed course’ in art appreciation!
Mix it up: Don’t be afraid to mix different styles and mediums in your collection. A diverse collection will keep things interesting and will also reflect your personal tastes and interests. I love to combine the work of artist friends on a ‘gallery’ wall. Each piece carries the personality of its creator and reminds me of shared experiences and adventures.
Keep an open mind: Be open to discovering new artists and art forms. I didn’t think I liked figurative work until I came across the paintings of Quebec artist Peter Colbert. I now own two!
You never know where you might find your next beloved piece. One of my favourite things to do when travelling is explore the local art scene. It’s often very different from the art that I usually see (and buying a small piece of art on holiday doubles as a souvenir, right?).
Be patient: Building a personal and meaningful art collection takes time. Don’t be in a rush to fill your space with art. Take your time and wait for the right pieces to come along. They always do!
Hard to be patient? You might think about commissioning your favourite artist to create a bespoke piece just for you. Not sure what a commission entails? Or how to go about exploring the idea? Check out an older Studio Note I wrote about just this topic!
Many artists share their work online and release new work to email subscribers first. Make sure you’re following them on social media and signed up to receive their newsletters. You’ll find my links below!