Refreshing your art or starting a collection? Here’s our guide to finding the right piece for your wall
So, you’re looking forward to visiting Fresh: but you may be new art fairs or wanting to start a collection? We have some tips to help you to find something you love.
1. Trust Your Instincts
Art is personal! If a piece makes you feel something — joy, curiosity, or nostalgia — it might be the one for you. Listen to your gut reaction. Many of the purchases made in today’s art market are of abstract artworks, perhaps because of their striking colours, and initial ability to evoke feelings through colour and texture. This human reaction is rooted in experience-led desire and replicates our personal exposure to Modern Art Masters in major art galleries and museums, like the Rothko room in the Tate Britain. Above are three artworks we’ve selected to illustrate how different emotional responses might inspire your choice of Art.
2. Explore Your Tastes
Spend time exploring different styles and mediums. Do you prefer abstract or figurative art? Bold colours or monochrome? With so many galleries under one roof, fairs are a great way to get to know what you like and don’t like. Make pictorial notes by taking a picture of the pieces that resonate. Don’t forget to ask permission first. Photograph the label too so that you can identify which galleries your favourites were shown with. Be eclectic, create a wish list, and then whittle down your selections over coffee or a glass of wine.
3. Consider Your Space
Think about where the artwork will be displayed. Is it a bright, open space or a more intimate setting? The art should complement your interiors, but it doesn’t have to match!
4. Set a Budget
You don’t need a huge budget to buy great art. Contemporary art fairs often feature emerging artists with more affordable pieces. Decide what you’re comfortable spending and remember, art is an emotional investment, it doesn’t have to be a financial investment as well.
5. Get to Know the Artist
Learning the story behind the artist can add more depth to your connection with the piece. Whether it’s their technique, background, or inspiration, understanding the artist helps you appreciate the artwork on a deeper level. Talk to the gallerists who can tell you more, in some cases you may even be able to meet the artist themselves.
6. Think About Scale
Make sure the size of the artwork fits well in your space. A large statement piece can be striking in a spacious room, while smaller pieces might suit a gallery wall or a cosy nook.
7. Consider Different Mediums
Art comes in many forms: paintings, sculptures, mixed media, photography, and more. Don’t limit yourself to one medium, exploring variety can help you find something unexpected that you love. Above are three pieces to demonstrate how different media can draw interest. From Wood & Wing artist, Tess Chodan who meticulously mounts reclaimed/antique taxidermy butterflies creating colourful, bold contemporary artworks with natural iridescence, to Jacky Oliver of the WAC Collective, bringing dimensionality to wall-mounted art with angular, architectural forms in metalwork, and Will’s Art Warehouse Artist, Clare Halifax, working in limited edition printmaking on gold leaf. The choice is yours!
8. Experiment with Emerging Artists
Buying art from up-and-coming artists can be an exciting way to discover fresh perspectives while supporting new talent. Plus, it’s often more affordable, and you might just be part of the beginning of something big.
9. Take Your Time
Don’t rush your decision. It’s okay to visit an art fair, fall in love with a piece and revisit the piece to see if it continues to resonate with you. But when buying art it’s also good to be impulsive, and purchase what you love before someone else does!
10. Enjoy the Journey
Building an art collection is a personal journey that evolves over time. Whether you’re buying your first piece or adding to a collection, let it be fun, inspiring, and a reflection of who you are.
We hope that you found these tips useful! The team very much look forwards to seeing you all at Fresh: Art Fair Alexandra Palace, London from Thursday Evening this week! For tickets to the Private View (from 5.30PM, Thursday) or for daytime / weekend tickets, please click HERE.
