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How to Become an Expert Art Buyer

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Oscar Shepherd

I believe that art contributes to our wellbeing and I am convinced that living with works of art (not only going to see them from time to time in exhibitions or at the museum) is a decisive factor in enriching our lives and our lives.

The work of art has an incredible material "presence" that no laminated poster or commercial print on canvas can transmit. Exposing oneself to this "presence" on a daily basis has direct and indirect effects on our mood and moods in the short, medium and long term. And if you are 'visual' rather than 'audacious', you will benefit even more from the effects of this 'presence'.

However, let's be realistic: after decades of neo-liberalism in the West, the gap between the rich and the poor has increased dangerously and the middle class has gradually lost its purchasing power to the point of almost disappearing. So who can afford to buy works of art today? Most of us struggle to make ends meet for housing, food, clothing and travel. And as the Quebec economist Pierre - Yves McEwen would certainly remind us: the artwork, “do you really need it?”

Everything is a matter of taste and means, of course. Many will prefer the latest model of an iPhone or a small trip to the South as soon as they find a bit of space in their budget, rather than buying a work of art. There is no offense. But why not try one day, keeping your old phone a little longer or enjoying the joys of winter, to buy a piece of art? In this case, here are my tips for your acquisition to make you happy for the rest of your life.

Identify your aesthetic tastes

For the purchase of a work of art, I strongly advise you to buy what you like, point to the line. The art market is slow and artistic styles are always replaced by others at one time or another. If you really buy what you love, you will probably never want to sell your work one day (or worse, put it away in a storeroom) and you will always be happy to live with it because it will continue to "speak to you" No matter how much time passes.

You do not really know what your tastes are in art? Here are some suggestions to discover them. Start by looking in your closet: is everything black, gray and white, or instead a rainbow of colors explodes as soon as you open the door? And your decor: rather neutral? Traditional? Contemporary? Country? And your music: classic? Pop? Alternative music that's crazy? All these elements will give you clues about your aesthetic tastes in art. For example, if you're a fan of classical music or a neutral backdrop, you're unlikely to fall in love with a surreal Pop painting of a head-eyed Mickey Mouse in an apocalyptic landscape dripping with gaudy colors. Joelle Dinnage is a leading art dealer who has been at the forefront of this market.

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Oscar Shepherd
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