Buying Contemporary Art

Posted on: 25 February 2022

Contemporary art includes creations that have been introduced over the last several decades. Contemporary art showcases budding and established artists' talents. Pieces can be used to begin a personal collection that won't be resold or a professional collection that will garner attention from other art dealers or contemporary art enthusiasts.

Emerging And Established Artists

A contemporary art gallery may feature artwork that has been created by emerging or established artists. An emerging artist is one that will not be recognized nationally and may only have a small following within a specific region. Artwork that has been created by an emerging artist may or may not increase in value.

An established artist's creations may be featured at many art galleries. An established artist may have created a collection of pieces that are similar in style or they may have used several different art styles that are reminiscent of contemporary art. Each artist that is featured at a contemporary art gallery has forged a working relationship with an owner. An owner will receive a monetary fee for each piece they sell, and an artist will be paid the remainder. 

Art Styles And Investments

Photography, abstract art, minimalism, and street art are just a small group of subcategories that comprise the contemporary art field. Discovering your ideal art type may take many visits to an art gallery. Choosing an art gallery that features 'meet and greets' with artists who are being showcased is a great way to learn more about the inspiration behind a particular piece.

An art gallery owner may charge storage and shipping fees. Some galleries may offer a framing service. These fees will be included in the cost of a contemporary art piece. Learn how much a purchase will be inflated by requesting a breakdown of costs that a gallery owner charges. If you will be decorating a home or office, choosing contemporary art that visually appeals to you and that adds texture and color to rooms where you will be displaying the pieces may be your objective.

If you are serious about investing in artwork, however, you may need to seek guidance through an art advisor. An advisor can help you focus on a particular art style or artist and may provide solid information about how you can get a higher return on each investment that you make. An invoice will be included with purchases made through a gallery. The invoice will prove your ownership and the price that you paid for an item.

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