For Art’s Sake - An Art Insider’s Easy Guide to Starting an Art Collection.
“Art cannot be sold, it has to be bought!” says Nakul Dev Chawla- founder of Global Art Hub and one of the youngest but most notable art dealers in India. At 29, Chawla is responsible for millions in annual sales of Modern Indian Masters and works closely with gallerists and auction houses to promote Indian Art. He grew up in Delhi and is the grandson of D.V. Chawla, founder of Chawla Art Gallery, one of the oldest art galleries in India.
Here the young gun turns advisor for all those that want to start collecting art.
M.F.Husain, Nadi Kinare, 1950
Collecting art is a marker of urbanity. Like wine tasting, it’s something you feel might be important to try, although you’re not exactly sure why. But at the same time it’s also something simple and pleasurable. Building your collection is creating a chance to be surrounded by beauty everyday. So why wait? Here are my tips on how to get started
1. Browse Extensively
The first step is to look and look and then look some more. It’s easy and fun. Make a friend tag along to art fairs, openings, and exhibitions. Attend and monitor how much works are selling for at auctions. Look online; follow artists and galleries on Instagram. You’ll understand what’s available and discover what you like.
Saffronart CEO Dinesh Vazirani auctions the Amrita Sher-Gil masterpiece Boys with Lemons, 1935 at Saffronart's Spring Live Auction, 5 March 2020.
2. Fall in Love
Buy something for the simple reason that you love looking at it and buy to keep. Ask yourself can you live without it? If you need to think twice that’s when you really go for something. Think of your art as your legacy. Build a collection you love. Consider this fun fact, according to a recent survey by University College London looking at a beautiful work of art impacts the brain in the same way as falling in love with a person. So enjoy the good vibes!
Manjit Bawa, Untitled, Undated
Jehangir Sabavala, Treescape, 1960
3. Don’t rush into things.
Research and background knowledge are essential first steps when putting together an art collection. Without prior knowledge, you may drastically overpay for pieces or even risk becoming a victim of fraud. Part of this research should be hands-on. So, in addition to research about art you like, also make sure you know how to read supporting documents that accompany an art acquisition. Provenance matters, and you should know how to determine if the provenance documentation for a prospective piece is legitimate.
4.Build Relationships
It’s no secret that in the art world, it pays to be social. Any art insider will tell you, building relationships with curators, dealers and galleries can give you access to information on exclusive works, new artists and trends.
5. BUY!
And finally, make a purchase! Find a dealer that you can trust, who will work with you and slowly build up your precious collection. There’s no best time to start collecting art, so start collecting now!
Words by Srishti Jindal
