THE ART OF ACQUIRING ART. PART 2 – PICKING AND PLACING ART

The intention of this month’s article is twofold: to pick and to place artwork. These two actions are highly intertwined and both need to be at the forefront of your mind during any art buying decision.

Firstly, pick a space. This may involve measuring a wall – but could also involve earmarking a space in your home/office/garden for a sculptural piece. Then, consider the statement you wish to make. A reasonably monochromatic space affords you the luxury of dabbling with vibrant and perhaps daring colours – as does a complete remodel. In many ways, it could be beneficial to make your art purchase first – and then pick up on colours to use as accents in some of your soft furnishings, such as pillows or throws. Some artists also print onto fabric which provides an exciting opportunity to echo your artwork in other parts of the room (although be sure to exercise some restraint – unless your goal is to achieve the full William Morris look!). If you are not planning a re-model then perhaps consider picking an artwork that reflects some of the pre-existing colours or themes in the space. And if you really cannot picture how the work will look then remember that there are Apps out there that can create a mockup of the artwork in situ.

Placing the work also requires considering how to preserve the longevity of your piece. Consider daylight – which will almost certainly ravage any artwork unless carefully protected. For framed photographs and artworks this can be easily avoided by ensuring that the frame contains UV filter glass. For paintings and artworks not behind glass you may want to check with the artist/gallery whether any UV protection has been applied. Likewise – be sure to consider how you use the space: children, pets and parties can all take their toll on art.

Finally – do remember that ultimately all the practicalities and pragmaticism do need to play second fiddle to your emotions and gut reaction to the piece. Ultimately your heart should do the picking and you should perhaps leave the placing for later.

By Petra Giffard