5 Myths of the art world, debunked
June 28, 2011 in Inspiration, Interiors
At Curator we believe that everyone can benefit from creativity and enjoy great works of art. Sometimes it’s easy to feel that art is something “someone else” buys, and plenty of people in the art world like to maintain that air of exclusivity. But it’s time to put a few myths of the art world to sleep for good…
1. “Art isn’t for me… I don’t understand it”
The amazing thing about art is that it’s actually very accessible – you really don’t need an art history degree to appreciate something that’s beautiful, something that makes you sad, or something that just makes you want to look closer.
Does it really matter if you don’t get the original intention of a piece, or know the entire context of its creation? Of course not – the most important thing is that a piece of art speaks to you and that you take something, anything, away from it. If you love a particular image, the most important meaning it has, is the one it has to you. Sadly, the art world at large could do a lot more to make the industry more inclusive.
2. “You have to spend a lot to start collecting art”
Not true! You can find amazing original pieces from well respected artists for just a few thousand pounds and limited edition prints for just a few hundred.
If you’re just starting out, or on a strict budget, then look out for work from lesser-known artists or recent graduates who still produce great works of beauty that could fit perfectly in your home or office. They will really appreciate the time you’ve taken to seek out their work!
The point about owning art is to buy work that you’re in love with – it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. You can still get something unique within a budget – it just takes a little imagination and some searching.
3. “My house is too small to even think about hanging art”
Big or small, personalising your living space is one of the great joys of life.
You might read about conventions for displaying art on your wall, but your home isn’t a public viewing space – it’s a place that you relax, have fun, eat, sleep, and where you can just enjoy time with the friends and family – forget about conventions and just make the space your own!
Art doesn’t have to be huge either, there are plenty of smaller pieces out there that can add depth and emotion to any wall.
4. “It’s hard to work out if I’m paying the right amount for a piece of art”
The days of being swamped by sales people in highstreet galleries, sadly, is not over just yet. But that doesn’t mean you can be fooled!
The internet is your best friend with pretty much every purchasing decision possible, and art is no different. Google the artist’s name and title of a specific piece you like in order to read up on the artist themselves, see the context of a piece, or see if (in the case of Limited Edition Prints) it’s for sale anywhere else for less. If you’re buying original, search online to see how other pieces from the same artist are priced elsewhere as a point of comparison.
Don’t be pressured by a hard-sell, take your time, go away and read up, maybe even give it a day or two to think on it, then come back and make your buying decision.
5. “I can’t spend money on art during a recession”
Obviously we won’t advocate spending money you had originally budgeted for food or rent on art – but you should genuinely consider the benefits of buying art against other purchases.
A great piece of art is going to be around for a lifetime (at least) and you’ll probably look at it slightly differently every day. So will your family, visitors to your home, and whoever you eventually pass it on to. Considering its longevity, art can be a very cost-efficient purchase, compared to say a cinema visit that might cost you £8-10 for just over an hour of entertainment, or a games console that works for just 2-3 years before it’s superseded.
Thinking about art is just a part of considering your home surroundings. Money is rarely better spent than making your living space more pleasurable to be in. After all, you spend a LOT of your time in it (if only the office had such beautiful walls).
Last but not least, spending on art doesn’t always mean that money is lost. Often, great art will retain its value or increase in value over time – meaning it can be an investment rather than an expense. Obviously this isn’t always the case though, so if you buy, make sure it’s something you love rather than purely for a potential return.
