How to make like an art collector
PUBLISHED November 14th, 2012 12:42 am | UPDATED January 21st, 2016 08:15 am
The Affordable Art Fair is almost upon us. Art fever is gripping the island, as we are all embracing our artistic side, pretending like we know a thing or two about art. But if you are one of the many who are quite possibly blagging it a little when it comes to art, or art collecting, or perhaps you are hands up a total and utter newbie to the game, then some insider tips on art collecting might just be the order of the day to save your skin. We wouldn’t want you walking off with something that is not going to do anything for you in terms of your art credentials or future prosepcts as a wannabe collector now would we!?
We speak to Tolla Sloane, Founder and Director of online contemporary art gift registry www.giveart.net, and an offline gallery space in Singapore, Give Art Space representing Southeast Asian and British artists to get some wise pearls of wisdom on how to cut your teeth as an art collector.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get into collecting art?
Visit galleries, museums, exhibitions and develop an eye for what you love.
Build relationships with Gallerists you trust. They will advise you on where to start, at a price point you are comfortable with. It is a myth that fantastic, conceptually exciting, aesthetically beautiful work is beyond reach of the average art collector, particularly in Asia. Here in Asia you are still able to buy work by artists that the museums and institutions covet. In addition, small works and limited edition prints are often available and affordable even if the 2m x 2m canvas you saw is not.
Most newbies start out with acquiring works by emerging artists, how should they go about evaluating their work? What should they be looking out for?
Each collector develops their own taste and should look out for work they love. I always look for an artist with a unique vision of the world and curiosity. This will help determine the longevity of the artist’s career. I also look at their biography and CV to see how active they are in their practice. For me a great artist is conceptually, aesthetically and technically strong.
What advice would you give on collecting one medium as opposed to another – what’s easiest to start out with? Is there anything you would steer clear of?
No. Many artists work in a variety of media. A 21st Century artist rarely sticks to one medium such as painting or sculpture or installation.
What can newbie collectors do to develop their understanding and knowledge of art, to help them in their quest as a first time collector?
Visit galleries, museums, studios, exhibitions and read about art in books, magazines, blogs, exhibition catalogues. Keep looking, be curious.
What are your thoughts about buying art online, as opposed to in more traditional methods? Is this a good or a bad thing?
It’s a good thing. It allows you to see more without having to clock up the air-miles. However, a word of caution. Don’t buy from an unknown gallery as you need to be sure of the authenticity and provenance of the work. If you know a gallery in Singapore and see a work from a New York gallery you love, ask your Singapore gallery or art consultant if they know them and can vouch for their reputation.
My gallery recently took part in VIP Art (the only international online art fair). Participation is by invitation only and each gallery is vetted by the organisers and by their peers. White Cube commercial spaces in Singapore and the shipping of artworks is very expensive. Online viewing platforms are essential to make galleries viable when working with emerging artists.
Share with us an inspirational story about art collecting..
Herb and Dorothy Vogel. These two New Yorkers started collecting conceptual and minimalist art in the 1960s. Their first purchase was a Picasso sculpture to celebrate their engagement. They used their modest postal worker and librarian salaries to collect art throughout their marriage. Their collection now comprises 4000 works, valued at several million dollars, which have now been donated to museums across America. They collected in an unorthodox manner; being friends of the artists. However, the message to take from the story is that small amounts of money invested in emerging artists can give you an impressive collection 20-30 years later.
Art collecting is a lifelong passion; it requires patience to see an artist develop and grow. Collecting can be a very creative process itself.
Tell us a bit about which artists you will be representing at this year’s Affordable Art Fair?
I want to highlight four of the Southeast Asian artists I am showing as examples of museum quality work by emerging to mid-career artists which remains affordable –
Ang Soo Koon – Singaporean conceptual artist whose work takes the form of drawing, video, sculpture and installation. Watch out for her bread and crystal sculpture titled ‘Love is Like a Chunk of Gold’. Also look out for the official AAF Tote Bags designed by Sookoon.
Jeremy Sharma – Singaporean abstract and minimalist painter whose work is held by the Singapore Art Museum. Look out for his Scintilla series of abstract paintings using aerosol paint on aluminium.
Michael Lee – Singaporean multi-disciplinary artist whose work examines memory and architecture as art. Winner of the 2012 Sovereign Asia Pacific Art Prize, People’s Choice award his work is held in the Singapore Art Museum collection. He has participated in Biennales across Asia. Look out for the affordable ($80) photo-documentation of his God’s Villa sculptural model, part of the Office Orchitect series.
Hoang Duong Cam – Vietnamese photographer and painter whose work captures recent Vietnamese history. Look out for stunning paintings of 1970s war-time Vietnam which play on photo-realism and abstraction.
The Affordable Art Fair takes place on 15-18 November at the F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard. Ticket Prices (at the door): General Admission (public days): $12 Arty-Licious Evening: $30 Students & Seniors: $8 Group Package (4 adults): $40 or SISTIC advanced sales (booking fees may apply) General Admission: $10 Arty-Licious Evening: $25 or $40 for two Students & Seniors: $8 Group Package (4 adults): $30. For more information see the website here.
