Art Smarts

What is it that drives us to amass what we perceive to be objects of beauty? Is it the primitive instinct to skillfully stalk our prey? Is it the desire for the new, the extraordinary, the extravagant, and the scandalous? Perhaps it’s our growing nostalgia that makes us collect those things which can only improve with age ~ fine wine and works of art. Whatever the motivation, once you get over the idea that collectors need to be refined, rich, and idle, it’s thrilling to hang your first “original.” As French author Andre Malraux noted, “To love a painting is to feel that this presence is…not an object but a voice.” And it becomes addictive. 

The process of collecting art can be a singular pleasure. The important thing at first is, of course, buying what you like. If you consistently buy what you enjoy, the pieces will all work well together, so don’t worry about color scheme or appreciation. Be selective- pass by that which you do not love. Take it home and live with it for a while. Then, when you go out and look some more, take advantage of the many resources that the city offers collectors. 

Start by asking questions. Gallery owners enjoy talking with people who share their enthusiasm. Commercial galleries act as consultants who not only create liaisons between you and the artist, but also match-make your personality with the artist’s unique style. Let them introduce you to the exciting work of some younger, less established artists, too. Galleries can also negotiate on your behalf and dig for hard-to-find pieces. 

If you break from the idea that collections should be replete with Old Masters (and that collectors should be old), you’ve opened yourself up to a variety of media in contemporary art. Decorative art glass, for example, is a hot trend. Inspired by Dale Chihuly’s installation in the Dallas Museum of Art’s atrium, collectors are clamoring for complex and beautiful glass work by contemporary American artists.