Some tips for buying art

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

It may sound a little surprising but there are still a number of people who are buying art, although not many are flaunting the fact. If you are one of those considering buying art, I have put together a few points here which should help you go through the process.

Investing in art has always been a fairly controversial subject where purists believe that art should be bought only if one has the passion for it, while, investors with a high risk appetite have looked at art as just another investment instrument. Therefore, it is important that you identify your reasons for buying art. In any case, if you are spending a large sum of money on art use only any spare cash that you have.

If you are planning to spend less than Rs.50,000/- this is comparatively a small amount when you consider that prices of artworks can go up to lakhs and even crores. In such a case you can look at art which is aesthetic and one that appeals to you visually. If you are spending bigger amounts it is important to evaluate and analyze the financial investment potential of the artist. Also, instead of spending a large sum at a time you can distribute it within a certain timeframe. Incidentally, you should not consider spending more than 10-15% of your disposable income on art.

Buying art can be a fairly addictive process as many collectors have found out. There is always a better and more exciting work of art round the corner. Therefore, it is important to define ones budget and stick to it.

Make sure you buy from reputed galleries and dealers who have established their credentials over time. It is always better to pick an artist who is represented by a well established gallery, which ensures that the artist is promoted appropriately. In case you are buying from a resale be extra cautious about the authenticity, provenance and the condition of the work.

When you do a background check on the artist, also see how his prices have evolved over the years. A stable rise over time is a good indication that prices may follow a similar pattern in future. However, do not go entirely by the artist’s name, but also check for quality. There will be variations in every artist’s work and remember that someone who is very prolific is less likely to focus on quality.

At the end of the day buying art is a matter of personal choice, and you should be able to make the final decision after collating all relevant data.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

Art of the matter

Some time ago, at an art event, a viewer whispered audibly that she could not make out what was so artistic about the painting. This in fact happens quite often. Sometimes, when looking at art exhibited in gallery spaces, one wonders whether everything that is presented as a form of art is really art. Thanks to the popularity wave, art has become a commercially viable venture for many. As a result, along with professional artists, self taught and hobby painters, photographers and architects, there are numerous others, from varied professions, whose experimental endeavors get an opportunity to be showcased at art exhibitions. Out of these, while some are brilliant and it is obvious that they have found their true calling in life, there are others that appear confused or mediocre to the extent that it is impossible to make out what the artist intends to convey. And, then there are some that are downright silly, to put it mildly. However, as most exhibitions these days are accompanied by enough hype to impress the general viewer, it can become difficult to look at them objectively. One can only wonder what the fuss is all about.

In fact, very often the intention behind such projects is genuine even if the resultant product fails to reflect that. There are some that lack in technique or craft or creativity or all of these. Sometimes, and fortunately not so often, one feels that the works should never have been allowed to be publicly displayed in the first place.

Artists that are sponsored and promoted by art galleries have at least been through a selection procedure. The bigger and well established galleries are in fact extremely particular who they promote and associate with. It is therefore self sponsored art shows that are suspect, because anyone can easily rent a gallery space and put up an exhibition of their works. This does not mean that every self-taught artist or an occasional painter is lacking in his craft. There are many senior and renowned artists such as MF Husain, Arpana Caur and Sudhir Patwardhan who are self-taught.

Still, it is important for buyers to be able to confidently evaluate the quality of a work and then invest in it. At the same time, it is equally imperative that artists, especially new ones, obtain critical feedback on their works before displaying them in a public space.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

Where is the trust vote?

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

During the boom period art was projected as the next biggest investment class and many private individuals and dealers were quick to encash on this popularity wave. During that phase buyers were promised returns anywhere between 100% and 1000%, backed by data that was carefully weaned to suit the purpose. “Investment Art” emerged as a convenient bait to lure buyers to the maximum. The phrase was meant to identify a class of art that was sure to maximize investment. The situation today has altered drastically. One wonders where these promoters are now. What has happened to these so called Investment Art or Artists? The ground reality has always been different from the hype prevailing in the media.

Today, the market is abuzz with investors trying to offload their art. Unsuccessfully. In desperation many are willing to settle for whatever little is offered. This has resulted in the investors being a disillusioned lot. Many people had also invested in art funds, some of which have failed to provide the returns that were promised at the launch of the funds. At least those who have invested in art directly can take solace in the fact that they can see their art on the wall.

A number of people have lost faith in art as an investment. However, one cannot blame unscrupulous promoters and dealers only; some amount of responsibility has to be borne by the investor as well. After all, when one invests a substantial sum of money, say in real estate, one checks the credentials of the builder or developer, looks for clear titles and so on. The same is true for art. How can one invest without doing any background research? It is always essential to have an independent and unbiased opinion in such cases.

In any fast growing field, there will always be many speculators and people who will manipulate the market to suit their own purpose. At one time, many artists too, were churning out works by the dozen when there was a huge demand.

Today, demand is low, prices have fallen, and everyone has the time to introspect. During the last phase, gullible investors who believed they could treat art as stock or shares, and could exit at any point they wished are the ones that have suffered the most. It is only now that many have realized how difficult it is to resell art, especially now when liquidity is hard to find. At the risk of repeating myself, I have to say that this is a particularly bad time to sell, but a good time to buy, if you can afford to.

The market will take a while to recover, and hopefully there will be better regulation soon. And meanwhile, remember the old adage, it maybe clichéd, but still holds true – buy art that you can live with.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

Elephant on the wall

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

As one turns towards Opus from the BDA circle, an elephant dressed in pink and blue sneakers grins cheekily, striking an incongruent note amidst the traffic snarl. This rendition on the wall is the work of graffiti artist Ivan Germon. Ivan, from France has been spray painting on public walls for the last sixteen years. As a teenager, with a spray can in hand, he began leaving his signature on walls at night. At one point after his arrest and subsequent trial, the situation altered considerably and he was invited to paint on designated walls in France. Ivan also does paintings – acrylic on canvas and illustrations when he is not doing graffiti.

Image coutesy Opus

Ivan has modified his modus operandi and now, very often, he paints on large rolls of paper and then sticks them on the wall. Most of his paintings are of cartoon or popular characters, keeping in mind the cultural milieu of the place. For instance, he has spray painted Chacha Choudhary and Shaktiman in India. For the wall on Opus, for which he was incidentally invited to paint upon, he chose a brightly dressed up elephant which was bound to attract a lot of attention, and the slogan he has used is derived from Horn OK Please, seen so commonly on the back of trucks. He feels that these are elements that the common man can identify with and relate to easily. He signs off as Rock, and has taken the trouble to sign in Kannada as well.

According to Ivan, nobody would notice an ugly wall on the street, but, a brightly coloured one will definitely catch the eye. In big cities, where ones existence can go unnoticed, a signature or some writing on the wall is a way to get attention, and that is what most graffiti artists are doing when they paint on a wall in the darkness of the night.

Incidentally, what is graffiti? Letters or images that have been marked, scratched or painted upon any property are termed as graffiti. In most countries defacing public walls is considered vandalism of property and is an illegal activity. However, in the recent past, graffiti as an art form has emerged slowly, although it continues to be a topic of debate.

Critical acclaim or popular choice

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

Recently, a young artist, while showing me images of his recent works said that everyone liked his paintings but nobody ever buys them! This may sound strange, but it does happen. When it comes to appreciating art and buying it to put it up on our walls we behave as if we have a split personality. What may appeal to us from a critical perspective may not suit our walls at all. Why? How many of us are willing to display art that graphically portrays themes such as war or poverty, or one that has a social message? And, in case it is a realistic portrayal of violence or the downtrodden, or, for that matter nudes, how comfortable would we feel in hanging it up on our living room walls! Is it hypocrisy? Not really. Our homes are our sanctuary, a haven that shields us from the harsh realities around us. It is not surprising then that in this personal space we yearn for all things beautiful, including art.

To give an illustration, you may have seen Raghu Rai’s photographs taken in the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy. The disturbing sight of mutilated foetuses and other equally graphic images, once seen can never be forgotten. These photographs have received widespread critical acclaim and have served a valuable purpose in drawing the world’s attention to a calamity that should have never happened in the first place. But as art in the drawing room, it is an unlikely choice.

Art that borders on the non-aesthetic and brings with it associations that are painful or unpleasant may become a part of a connoisseur’s prized collection but will have trouble finding acceptance from the average viewer. Conventional themes such as nature or pleasantly coloured abstracts are popular with buyers. A viewer, when looking at them, feels happy and contented. There is no sense of alarm, discomfort, revulsion or sadness when one looks at them. Most people believe in having a positive atmosphere around them, and this is often reiterated through art as well. Therefore all said and done, our sensibilities our still old fashioned when it comes to buying art for our homes. Fortunately, there are artists who believe in creating art that stems from their beliefs and is thought provoking, and there are connoisseurs who appreciate them. If it weren’t for them art would mean just a pretty painting and Indian art would be nowhere on the international map.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

A visit to NGMA, Bangalore

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is nestled in a green alcove off the main road away from the clamor of the traffic. Readers will remember that NGMA opened in Bangalore recently amidst controversies that invoked the ire of local artists and other members of the art community.
At the moment NGMA houses approximately 500 exhibits that are spread across a corridor, tiny rooms and large spacious halls that span two floors. You need at least half a day to see the entire space. The exhibits have been displayed - classified into broad categories - according to different time periods, art schools and by artists. One can see paintings by Raja Ravi Verma, Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher-Gil, the Tagore brothers and Rabindranath Tagore and a large number of Modern and Contemporary artists. While, there has been some effort made to display the older works in various zones, the Modern and Contemporary art section appears a little scattered and it could be organized better.

As one enters the gallery door, one can see old photographs, miniature art from the Rajput and Pahari schools depicting court scenes, and there are several graphic prints as well. A portrait sketch of Rajiv Gandhi done by Mukul Dey in 1945 is on display. Oil paintings by European artists who travelled to India during the late 18th to mid-19th century have also been showcased here. Ghats of Benaras, dancing girls and fauna and flora that represented exotic India form popular themes.


Ravi Verma’s Lady in Moonlight and Portrait of a Lady are two of his works that find a place here. In one of the large halls one comes across a small section dedicated to photographs (mostly black and white) by renowned photographers Raghu Rai and Dayanita Singh – the Masterjee series. Amongst the other works, one comes across a pair of terracotta pigs by N Pushpamala, small watercolour works by N S Harsha, a striking landscape by K K Hebbar, works by S G Vasudev, Yusuf Arakkal and Ravikumar Kashi.

M F Hussain’s paintings inspired by Mother Teresa, landscapes in muted shades by Ram Kumar and an intensely dark work by S H Raza, colourful abstracts by V S Gaitonde stand out due to familiar names. Ritual Image, a complex piece by Nandagopal and Form, a minimal bronze piece by Sankho Choudhuri present interesting dimensions in sculptures. Jamini Roy’s stylized forms and Amrita Sher-Gill’s paintings form a fairly large collection. The museum is a good place to get familiar with art and artists.

According to the official website of NGMA it also conducts educational and cultural activities; I hope that in Bangalore, too, it will take on such a role soon. Having started off on a wrong foot, it desperately needs to re-invent its image. It is imperative that NGMA garners local support and involves active participation from the various members of the art community in the city.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

Not the best time to sell art

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

During a financial crunch, people like to have the option of selling part of their assets to obtain liquidity. In the recent past art had been promoted aggressively as an alternative asset class and many buyers invested large portions of money in it in the hope of receiving good returns. However, most people who had invested in art without sufficient knowledge of the art market dynamics are now struggling to resell their works. Although, many galleries began offering buy back guarantees on the works they sold, this often came with clauses regarding timeframe, returns and valid for only select artists. Now that investors are facing major problems in reselling art, most of them are disappointed and disillusioned with art an investment option. It is important to realize that investing in art is an altogether different ball game compared to investing in traditional assets such as stocks, real estate and gold.

At this point in time, there are a large number of people looking to exit but unfortunately given the financial constraints permeating all sectors of the market, it is a difficult option. Many of these investors had bought art hoping for quick and high returns, and while this did happen during the boom period it is an extremely unlikely scenario at the moment.
Still, if an investor needs to exit now, he could either sell directly to a private buyer or through a gallery or a dealer. Rare or high quality works can also be sold through an auction house and one may want to consider that also as an option. As art prices have dropped recently if one is selling now, one should be realistic about the selling price. As we have mentioned in the past also, ideally this is not a good time to exit unless one is forced to. If possible hold on to the work for at least another two to three years.

(Published in Financial Times)

On a positive note

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

The art market is hit hard and there is no getting away from it at the moment. But, all this talk about the recession can be quite depressing and I sincerely hope that this phase gets over as soon as possible.
While people are still buying art that is affordable, sales of mid and high end segments are highly affected. Buyers are now treading cautiously, and rightly so. Recently at the preview of an art exhibition one of the artists mentioned how thankful he was that he had not resigned from his day job. However, when the same artist said that he had slowed down the pace of his work as the demand was considerably less, it was reassuring. In my opinion some of the best works will emerge in the current phase. The furious frenzy to produce more works during the boom period will now be replaced by a more spaced output. Artists will have more breathing space and time to follow their creative instincts rather than follow popular demands. This is a good time for them to be experimental, dabble with different media, and come out with smaller works and maybe even an affordable line of works.

Collectors should take stock of their collections and think of getting it catalogued if it is sufficiently large and mark out the works which they would like to sell off. One should also consider insuring the more expensive or rare artworks. Unfortunately, insurance of art is still not a very popular trend in India, and very few companies are offering this. But, one could look around to find a policy that suits ones needs.
For buyers this is a good time to pick up quality works at competitive prices. Those who don’t know much about art but happen to be reading this could use the opportunity to get familiar with the art world. Those of you, who are looking at buying art at this point, should begin with a small budget. This is also a good time to network with people from the art fraternity and to attend art shows and other events. In short be positive and use the time constructively.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

Sell art only if you have to

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

As everyone knows this is not a good time to sell art, as prices for paintings and other art forms have fallen significantly. Therefore, if one were to sell now, one would not get the same price as what could have been achieved a few months ago. According to some reports art prices have corrected as much as 30%. However, need for liquidity may encourage investors to sell a few select pieces. In such a scenario, it is important that the seller be realistic about his expectations. Still, if an investor had purchased a work of art 5 or 10 years ago, selling it now will fetch good returns on it.

A seller should do a thorough research and crosscheck current rates from various sources to arrive at an optimum selling price. There have also been instances where artists have shown an interest in buying back their works. This usually happens when the work is representative of a certain phase of the artist, or if it adds value to an artist’s retrospective exhibition. In any case it worth investigating if the artist or his family is keen on regaining the work.
When planning to sell a work, one should also be prepared to wait as it could take some time before the transaction actually happens. Under normal circumstances, too, it is difficult to liquidate art in a hurry. Sellers could check around with galleries, dealers or private collectors who can either buy the work themselves or alternately source a buyer. As buyers are also on the look out for good deals, one may have to be open to negotiation.

It is easier to sell rare and good quality works, especially if they are offered at an attractive price. One should also ensure that all relevant documents – provenance, authenticity certificate and receipts if any – are in order. Before putting up an art piece for sale, remember to check the condition of the work, that it is not damaged or affected in any other way.

(Published in Financial Times)

Be cautious when making fresh investments

By Nalini S Malaviya

This year the stock market has seen major fluctuations and there are still no immediate signs of easing of the economic recession. Investors are facing a dilemma about where to invest. The financial scene appears bleak at the moment, and most predictions point towards a troubled future. Recent trends in the art market, too, have failed to inspire confidence in investors. Prices of most artists have fallen either substantially or at least marginally. Many senior artists are now opting to have an exhibition of their works without offering any piece for sale. This appears to be a strategy to try and maintain their market rates, but, how successful will it be, will become clear only over the next few months.

In such turbulent times investors should be wary of making any fresh investments in art. In case they would like to do so they should consider all aspects related to the art market dynamics – investment timeframe, risk factors and ease of liquidity. One could opt for artists who are considered safe from a financial investment angle and who have established and proven themselves over the years. Although, this forms a safe category and involves blue chip artists, the amount of initial capital is fairly high, and that can be deterrent for a lot of investors.

The other option which is appearing attractive is investing in upcoming artists. The major reason why this is catching on in a big way is that prices are low and these make for excellent wall fillers. However, one must be aware that the risk is high for this particular category. As the capital required is low, most people are open to spending a part of their disposable income on such art. In this case if one can do a certain amount of research, and back it with technical expertise in order to select quality works, it increases the chances of picking up a winner.

(Published in Financial Times)

Consolidation and stabilization phase of the art market

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

The general perception is that the overall interest in art has dwindled to such an extent that no one is buying art. While, it is true that the amount of money that is being spent on art has gone down considerably, and that many galleries and dealers are affected, one can still come across many buyers who are continuing to buy art for its intrinsic value and also for investment. The economic recession has affected most businesses; at the same time there are people who are comparatively unaffected in the present situation.

There are still a lot of people who attend art show previews and other events. Some of them even end up buying paintings that they like. The category of art that was priced between Rs.15,000 to Rs.50,000 is seeing the maximum sales. Most of these works are either decorative or done by upcoming artists and even final year students from fine art institutes. It can also be noticed that most artists are now open to negotiation as far as prices are concerned. The boom time for art is definitely over and the plateau that one sees now reflects a healthier trend in the art market. This phase is also expected to allow artists and other members of the art community some breathing space which should eventually help the market. Greater introspection, more time and space to explore creativity, focus on business ethics will help in strengthening the market in the long term. As most analysts point out, this period of adjustment will help in the consolidation and stabilization of the art market. Well, it is important to begin the year on a positive note.

Most major art events such as fairs, biennales and seminars are going as per schedule. As galleries point out, it is important to continue with their events in order to keep the interest in art alive. 2009 will be significant in establishing and charting out the course that the art market will take in the years to come.

(Published in Financial Times)

Art bytes

(Nalini S Malaviya)

Narrative Movement is a group of artists from Shantiniketan who is organizing its first show in Bangalore. Gopa Sikder, Kousik Roy, Monoj Poddar, Pratyusha Mukherjee, Ram Kishu, Subrata Mete and Taslima Akter form the seven core members who are currently studying in their final year Masters programme in Fine Arts. These young artists bring in a raw energy in their paintings that are mostly figurative in genre, where some images are dark and surreal, while others romanticise spaces. What one notices is that most of the works involve a complexity in narration and go beyond the superficial decorative content. What is also interesting is that all these works are very different from the traditional format that one is familiar with from this region. It is good to see young artists exploring diverse themes, concepts and media.

Gopa’s imagery is surreal with animal forms overlapping with elements from nature in a vividly colourful world. Kousik’s imagery is dark and intense on one hand, whereas in “Innerview” he presents bright details of a bustling world reflected on the lenses of a pair of spectacles. Monoj’s mixed media works on canvas and board are intensely compelling with their complex narratives and overlapping forms. Pratyusha’s dreamscapes create a fantasy world around architectural spaces. Ram’s works depict figures from everyday life, while Subrata’s figures are also inspired from everyday life but involve a more multifarious approach. Taslima presents interiors and spaces in a romanticised form. The group presents a refreshing range of art that also happens to be affordably priced.

The exhibition was held at Gallery Mementos, The Chancery, Bangalore.

There is yet another gallery - Inspirations that will open its doors on January 4th with an art show that will feature paintings by 12 Indian artists. The works were in fact created at an artists’ camp held last week between 24th to 28th December, at the gallery premises. The art camp was inaugurated with a great deal of zest and the gallery appears to be well stocked with prints, reproductions, traditional paintings and other art.

The film ‘Rang Rasiya’ based on the legendary artist Raja Ravi Verma, a 19th century painter is set to release on January 23. To create interest in the film, a nationwide art competition has been organized on a massive scale. Anybody over the age of 18 can participate in it and there is more than Rs 25 lakhs in prize money involved. Details are available on http://www.rangrasiya.com/. Incidentally, the competition will be held on an all India basis with regional centres in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram and Bhopal.

(Published in Bangalore Mirror)

Use the time effectively

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

Due to the current economic recession, investors may find the art scene in a reduced state of activity. There are fewer art shows and events taking place, where most of the bigger exhibitions involving the top bracket of artists are being postponed. While, this is happening more with galleries based abroad but the effects can be seen in the country as well. Travel to art fairs has also been affected and galleries and artists are actively cutting down on expenses. Experts feel that the worst is yet to come and it may be a while before the art scene stabilizes.
However, all this does not mean that art connoisseurs should give up on art completely. There are many things than an investor can do to utilize the interim period effectively and to consolidate one’s collection.
Long term investors can continue to buy affordable art by young and upcoming artists. They should avoid selling wherever possible as this is a buyer’s market at the moment. By the same rule one can look out for good deals at competitive prices. A liquidity crunch can force collectors and dealers to offer attractive prices.
Investors should focus on making sure that their collection is safe and is maintained in a good condition. They could consider insuring their artworks if it hasn’t already been done. A large collection should always be catalogued and documented appropriately. It is important to maintain all documents related to the artworks as any loss of these can affect prices later on. Authenticity, provenance and sale receipts are some of the papers that one should keep safely. It is also a good idea to keep photocopies of these documents in a secure place.
If an investor needs to sell now then one should look for a buyer discretely. Incidentally, premium and rare works are continuing to fetch a good price provided one can find the right buyer.
It is important to utilize the interim period to build a network with other art connoisseurs. The art community is a fairly close knit one, and very often transactions and dealings happen through word of mouth. Recommendations and references are useful to have.
If one is making any fresh investment then research is very important at this stage. Watch out for the not so good quality works that may be available in the market.
The slowdown is likely to continue for the next couple of years, therefore it is vital that one does not let it affect one’s financial and mental health. It is a good time to review ones art collection to see which works should be kept and which ones should be sold off later.
One should continue to visit art shows and keep in touch with the latest happenings. Most galleries plan to continue with their art shows in order to keep the interest in art alive. Good deals are available now, and if one’s wallet allows, buy.

Use the time effectively

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

Due to the current economic recession, investors may find the art scene in a reduced state of activity. There are fewer art shows and events taking place, where most of the bigger exhibitions involving the top bracket of artists are being postponed. While, this is happening more with galleries based abroad but the effects can be seen in the country as well. Travel to art fairs has also been affected and galleries and artists are actively cutting down on expenses. Experts feel that the worst is yet to come and it may be a while before the art scene stabilizes.
However, all this does not mean that art connoisseurs should give up on art completely. There are many things than an investor can do to utilize the interim period effectively and to consolidate one’s collection.
Long term investors can continue to buy affordable art by young and upcoming artists. They should avoid selling wherever possible as this is a buyer’s market at the moment. By the same rule one can look out for good deals at competitive prices. A liquidity crunch can force collectors and dealers to offer attractive prices.
Investors should focus on making sure that their collection is safe and is maintained in a good condition. They could consider insuring their artworks if it hasn’t already been done. A large collection should always be catalogued and documented appropriately. It is important to maintain all documents related to the artworks as any loss of these can affect prices later on. Authenticity, provenance and sale receipts are some of the papers that one should keep safely. It is also a good idea to keep photocopies of these documents in a secure place.
If an investor needs to sell now then one should look for a buyer discretely. Incidentally, premium and rare works are continuing to fetch a good price provided one can find the right buyer.
It is important to utilize the interim period to build a network with other art connoisseurs. The art community is a fairly close knit one, and very often transactions and dealings happen through word of mouth. Recommendations and references are useful to have.
If one is making any fresh investment then research is very important at this stage. Watch out for the not so good quality works that may be available in the market.
The slowdown is likely to continue for the next couple of years, therefore it is vital that one does not let it affect one’s financial and mental health. It is a good time to review ones art collection to see which works should be kept and which ones should be sold off later.
One should continue to visit art shows and keep in touch with the latest happenings. Most galleries plan to continue with their art shows in order to keep the interest in art alive. Good deals are available now, and if one’s wallet allows, buy.

Get familiar with the art market

(By Nalini S Malaviya)

Given the market situation, investors should utilize the opportunity to learn more about art and to keep a look out for good deals that may be on offer now. Here are a few steps to help you get started.

Look at art
This may sound old fashioned in today’s technological age where many transactions take place virtually with the click of a mouse, the fact remains that nothing can replace the joy of physically standing before a beautiful painting.
Although, many art exhibitions have been postponed indefinitely, a substantial number is still being held, and one should therefore continue to visit art shows, galleries and museums to look at art and become familiar with artists and their styles. Physically looking at art is very different from seeing its image as a photograph or on the Internet. Wherever, possible one should look at original art. It will also give you clarity on what appeals to you.

Research
This is a good time to go through art history books and publications. Browse through articles, news reports, auction reports and catalogues to understand trends and price points. Read reviews to understand the artist’s work in a larger context.
Note down names of those artists who appear regularly on auction catalogues. Check their performances in the auction results and it will be a good indicator of the artist’s demand and market price (secondary market). Evaluate the artist’s career in terms of stability, growth and price trend. It helps to verify the credentials of the art gallery supporting the artist. Compare current prices with previous ones – again this is a good indicator of an artist’s potential and his market confidence.

Make a wish list
Based on your research, prepare a wish list for your portfolio. Which artists would you like to see in that list? You could also go further and make a list of the actual works that appeal to you. However, be prepared that these may not be available immediately. But, you can keep a lookout for them in forthcoming auctions or through dealers.