It is for a love of all things beautiful and perhaps an altruistic aim to be a patron of the arts that continues to motivate many to continue supporting the art world – as well as the possibility of reaping the rewards of impressive returns in the future.
The difference between an art lover and a collector lies in simply knowing what to buy, and when. As the number of people buying art around the world is at an all-time high, most of us would probably love to rewind the clock and support one of the art world’s biggest stars before they made it big. But the opportunity to invest in rising stars is, of course, there for the taking.
Buying work by emerging artists is one excellent way to begin investing in art, and a smart way to build a collection. Supporting an artist in the early stage of his or her career is not only personally rewarding, but also offers collectors access to high-quality, original contemporary artwork without a hefty price tag. Collectors want to discover an emerging art star and secure works with the potential to rise in value. Exploring work by an emerging artist gives more flexibility in terms of availability and price.
Some indicators to keep in mind when considering who are the potentially upcoming artists include:
- Which art schools they’ve been to.
- Exhibitions that they’ve participated in.
- Awards and prizes that they’ve been nominated for or have won.
- The ideas behind their artwork.
- They have a distinctive style early on.
In identifying new artists, it is always good to take the time to see who is making waves and is motivated to succeed. This might mean taking an active approach to following an artist’s progress or career. In the end it all comes down to savvy research.
Many new art collectors will often ask what is the ‘right choice’ when it comes to investing in art stars in the future, especially if they are torn between a range of fantastic emerging artists. In this regard it is good to think about your personal viewpoint on an art piece or artist style, and find something that truly resonates with you. Though artworks often retain their asset value, it’s worth remembering that it’s important to find work you really love.