Being an art collector can be fun and exciting. It allows you to experience the so-called finer things in life. It gets you acquainted with the brilliant minds of the artists. At some point, you have bought art pieces to liven up your space. You might be picking different works from up and coming artists, knowing that there’s a chance that these pieces will be highly evaluated in the future.
In your journey as an art collector, you may be having this thought that you should start discovering your aesthetic taste for a more cohesive collection. Defining your taste will also keep you from purchasing art that may make you end up experiencing buyer’s remorse.
If you want to cultivate your artistic taste, below are some of the things you may want to keep in mind:
Take your time
An artistic taste is not cultivated overnight. You will have to expose yourself to different art styles, techniques, and artists. Remember, when you’re buying art, you’re spending money, so you might as well spend it on the right things. You also need to ask yourself why you’re collecting art. Is it because you’re trying to capture the essence of a certain generation? Are you treating art as an escape? When you have answers to these questions, you may find it easy to find pieces that align with your goals.
Read, read, read
When you’re buying furnishings and fixtures, you read about styles and applications before heading to a furniture store. The same thing should be exercised when you’re buying art. If you don’t know yet what kind of works resonate with you, go out and visit museums and galleries. When something catches your attention, read up on the artist and their motivation for creating that piece. You may subscribe to newsletters and catalogs to discover new styles and genres. You may also go online to read critiques.
Go for what makes you feel things
Sometimes, art is just about your gut feeling. You need to go for something that makes you feel things as you immerse yourself in the piece. Notice the kinds of pieces and works that have thrilled and saddened you. Pay attention to the artists that have made you happy. When you take a look at these things, you are likely to determine which kind of style actually suits your taste.
Talk to experts
As a newbie collector, you have a lot of questions floating in your head. It would be best if you got honest and pragmatic answers, so you may want to get in touch with people who know what they’re talking about. You can talk to museum curators and seasoned collectors. These people may lead you in the right direction.
Let your taste change
At this point, you may have the impression that artistic tastes stay the same for a long time. However, that is not true. You can always allow yourself some flexibility for changes. Iconic artists, such as Pablo Picasso, have varying tastes throughout his career.
