Collect what you love and artists that you admire and want to support. Educate yourself so you know at least the bare minimum of what has been produced in the history of art so you know your not buying a copycat art (and quite possibly worthless).
I collect works that move me and from artists I respect and admire. The works also have what I call the “onion effect” which is the more you look, the more layers of meaning present themselves – (as if you are peeling an onion one layer of skin at time).
This is how I make images and this is how I collect but if I did not have years and years of education in the arts I would work with either a collector or a reputable gallery with years and years of experience. They will save you a small fortune.
If you want to play with the big boys and girls how do you know if a gallery is good and established? Start with ArtNet which is THE site for the art establishment. If you are not on Artnet as a gallery or artist then you are probably not being collected or selling much collectable work. It is the only art world that matters and the only site you can not just “sign up” – and it’s a very small club whether we like it or not. Each major city in the world only has a few of these gallery’s in it. It’s where I go to find new galleries to sell my work and to look at artists and see what their work is going for.
The last place to learn is the major art fairs like Art Basel etc and satellite fairs that follow them. Here is where you can really see what is what. But again there is a ton of junk even at the highest levels. Once you develop an educated eye you can detect it. Until then find an expert and collect artists actually being collected by museums.
Blogs:
- The Art Blog
- Art Fag City
- The Wooster Collective
- Art Biz Blog
- Art Market Blog
- Art Threat
- The Best Part
- DLK Collection (excellent photography collecting blog)
Fairs:
