We love a space that is filled to the brim with art and secretly aspire to become crazy art ladies with time. “Art collecting” sounds both expensive and highbrow, but it’s really just about filling your home with personality and surrounding yourself with things that make you happy. Here’s our guide how to evaluate a potential artwork purchase:
How to start an art collection
GO WITH YOUR GUT
Taste in art is highly subjective and only you know what moves you. Plenty of artworks make you indifferent, so always favour an artwork that instinctively evokes something in you.
Don't worry about what's right or wrong.
A TREAT FOR THE EYES
Aesthetics are obviously a major requisite for getting an artwork, so go for a motif, colour, composition or shape that you love.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
ADMIRATION
If you get a sense of wonder for the artist’s technical skills and talent as well as find the idea behind the artwork creative and original, then you’re right on track.
SOMETHING FOR YOUR MIND
Just like with people you need something more than just a pretty face, otherwise it gets boring. A great artwork also makes you think, whether it's a piece that makes you nostalgic, impressed, delighted or provoked.
NEXT LEVEL
Start by getting that one special work of art that you love and then it’s easy to get hooked. The more you’re exposed to art through museums, graduation shows and exhibitions, your eyes get trained and you start seeing more things and get to know your own taste even better. Next thing you’ll know your walls and surfaces will be filled with art and you’ll start adding artworks to less usual places such as over the kitchen counter or in the bathroom.
If you want to dig a little deeper, we recommend the books A Poor Collector’s Guide To Buying Great Art by Erling Kagge and Häng konsten lågt (in Swedish obviously) by art journalist and our very own art advisor Karolina Modig.
