Creating meaningful art is no easy feat, it requires countless hours of practice, focus and artistic inspiration to come together. Collecting art is also an artform in itself, as well as being a viable commercial enterprise. When it comes to putting together an art collection, one has to take into account various factors that are quite subjective in nature, such as art taste and personal style.
Collecting art is a topic that I have discussed briefly in my previous blogs and in this one, I would like to take a deep dive into how one can build and display an art collection that is truly reflective of their style and taste. I will be revisiting some of the tips that I have shared previously, along with some new ones.
Here we go…
Take time to understand what you like
It is important to invest time in understanding and developing your taste in art and finding out what resonates with you. You will need to understand what your motivations and intentions are behind collecting art: are you doing it for investment purposes, your mental health or to uplift the interior design of your home. Asking yourself these questions is a crucial step in understanding the kind of art you should be buying and whether your collection together is serving your best interests.
Make the collection seem cohesive
Once you get the ball rolling as an art collector, make sure that the paintings you buy have a common element within them to tie the pieces together in the collection. If you randomly buy artworks that are from different eras or movements, it would hardly be a collection but a haphazard assortment of paintings. Therefore, when making art purchases you need to ask yourself: how will this new piece fit into your collection. Be mindful and have your collection make sense. This cohesiveness will drive up the value, monetary and artistic, of your collection.
If possible, having a chat with an art advisor would be of great help in understanding what pieces to buy that would fit in your collection. You can also take the help of an online art community or a local one to source suggestions on your next art purchase after sharing the details of your collection.
Displaying the art is half the game
The way your art is displayed is incredibly important in showcasing the artistic merit of the pieces that you have collected and how it significantly adds aesthetically to the space. With my experience working with interior designers, modern art galleries and providing consultations on how my work should be displayed in commercial spaces, I have gained a fair bit of knowledge about the innerworkings between art and design. Here are some tips that I offer to collectors:
- Think about the feelings you want to evoke when you are in this room and choose a piece of artwork that helps in building and reinforcing those feelings.
- Not everything has to match in a room. I often look for artwork that complements the interior design but does not necessarily match it. Art needs to make a statement exclusive from what it is surrounded with.
- When we talk about merging art and interiors, it does not have to be something expensive. There are countless avenues for affordable art which can provide you with options to buy and display art that can make a drastic difference in the way you perceive your surroundings.
Additionally, you can follow these practical tips on displaying your paintings around the house:
- Let the art do the talking
In case of a large painting or paintings that are composed of striking colours and contrast, it is better to display them on a simple whitewashed wall to make the art the primary focus of the room. This minimalistic approach is easy to achieve and with the right painting, the entire design of the room can be uplifted and accentuated.
- Prop it up
For a more relaxed and laidback approach, you can always put the artwork on the floor while being propped against a wall. Large statement artworks look spectacular when framed in glass taking up most of the wall but also not overpowering the space. On the other hand, more smaller pieces can be left leaning casually in the corner of a room which can work very well, when the colour is coordinated with the furnishings.
- Build a gallery at home
I have always been a big fan of “gallery walls” in homes, as this is such a creative way to put together your artwork on one wall and make it a statement about your individuality and taste in art. The other thing about gallery walls is how versatile they are, as you can mix and match paintings of various sizes to build a collage of your collection or you can have paintings of the same dimensions displayed neatly together for a more symmetrical look. By using products like Art Strip or Uniq Hanger (available on Artiteq.com), you can have a gallery wall set up quite conveniently which can also be dismantled easily when moving houses.
There you go!
Now, you have loads of tips and tricks to get started on your art collecting and displaying expedition with some style and taste. Remember to enjoy the process and take your time in researching and buying art that truly connects with you.
Shop my artwork collection here.
Check my digital artwork collection here.