Guide: The Fine Art of Buying

Art is a visual investment, and as a medium has the ability to alter the aesthetics of the environment 

Buying your first work of art can be intimidating and perhaps, also perplexing. How does one decide which artist’s work to buy or where to buy it from? Similarly, there are questions related to style, genre, medium, size and of course, the price of the artwork. These can all add further to the confusion. So, here are a few tips to guide you towards selecting and buying an artwork.

Empower yourself

The first step is to visit a few art galleries to see the works that are displayed there, and consider what engages you - which works do you feel aesthetically, emotionally and intellectually drawn to? Notice your reaction to the works displayed and this will give you an indication of the kind of works that you relate to. Visualize these on your walls now and consider if you would like to look at them over and over again. Remember that art is a long term investment and that is very unlikely that you would purchase a new work of art for your living room every couple of months.

The next step is to look up online galleries and browse through images to learn more about various genres, styles and corresponding prices. Again, this will give you a sense of the kind of art which engages you, as well as direct you to artists whose works you like.

Make sure, you do this only after you have visited and viewed art galleries, since the physicality of viewing art is an important step in understanding its nuances, for instance the tactility of the medium, use of pigments and materials, textural quality and the dimensionality of the artwork are evident only when you stand before it. In fact, also visit artist studios and interact with artists whenever possible. This will facilitate an understanding of processes, and materials and media.

In parallel, read up on articles to know more about artists and current exhibitions. It will give you a sense of art trends, popular artists and will cultivate familiarity with the language used in describing art. This will also help you in understanding text accompanying art, which in turn offers insights into the work.

Set a budget

It is important to set aside a budget for art so that there is clarity on the amount that you are willing to invest in art. It would be advisable to begin with a small amount, perhaps in the Rs 20,000 - 50,000 range, which allows you to gain confidence in the initial period of learning. You could consider buying works by upcoming artists as these are likely to be in the affordable range. You could also purchase limited edition prints, drawings and watercolours, which are generally priced lower, in comparison to oils and acrylics.

Following these steps will ensure you learn about art and the art market, enabling you to make the right choices when it comes to buying for your home. Even if you are buying art at your interior decorator’s advice, take the time to be personally involved.

Art is a visual medium of expression, which can be used creatively to complement home interiors. It is a visual investment, and as a medium has the ability to alter the aesthetics of the environment completely and as you learn more about its finer aspects, you can incorporate both style and substance in your home interiors.

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5 Reasons a Good Catalogue Text is Essential for Your Art

A well-written catalogue text adds value to your art and provides a reference point for viewers.

Over the years, I must have received hundreds of press/ media kits from artists having exhibitions. The art catalog on a CD or a hard copy by post has been an inevitable part of the kit and these are sent by the artist or gallery.

It does not matter if the show is in a well-known private gallery, a hotel, or in a public gallery self-hosted by the artist. However, there has been a steady decline in the number of catalogues that accompanies a press kit. Not surprising, given the cost of publishing and printing, current economic conditions and the state of the art market.

Of late, very few galleries will wholly sponsor an art exhibition, let alone pay for a 20 page glossy catalogue. This is how conditions are and it is a matter of survival for many galleries in India. In the West too, the trend of catalogues accompanying an exhibition is on the decline, but remember writing fees are also much higher there. Here, you will find most curated shows have detailed catalogues. Also, museums come out with catalgues that become highly collectible.

In my opinion it is important to have text for a show, whether it is a solo or a group exhibition. You may print the catalogue for the show or do an e-copy now and print it at a later date when you have the resources. The important thing is to get a catalogue done, at the least a soft copy, which broadly means the text – a critical essay by a critic/writer/scholar, an artist statement, images from the show with all relevant details and the artist’s biography. Also, part of the text can be printed on the invite, or you can print handouts for viewers.

Why?

1. A catalogue is an important tool for communication

It is a widely known fact that communication is easier through words. Yes, a picture might be worth a thousand words, and you may have produced an excellent series of visual work, but the right text will add perspective to your art and help in communicating better to viewers, buyers, gallerists and the media. It is also highly relevant when you have the catalogue text written for your art now for future shows, particularly exhibitions planned abroad.

2. A well-written catalogue text adds value to your art

Apart from the communication factor, insights provided by the critic, especially if it is somebody well-known and respected from the art field adds value to the exhibition. In a way, just as the venue/gallery where you are exhibiting is important, so are the credentials of the person writing about your exhibition.

3. The text provides a context

Words help in setting your art within a larger framework. The text should offer a critical analysis of your work, its contemporary context and relevance from an art historical perspective and insights into your work. It tells the viewer what to expect and essentially provides a reference point for your art. There are several artists who believe that they would like to refrain from giving textual clues to the viewer, nevertheless, viewers appreciate reading about your art and understanding where you are coming from.

4. The catalogue is part of the documentation process

Presumably, you are documenting your work as an artist that means cataloging images and all other details digitally with regular backups. A catalogue is an important part of this process, which you can use and refer to whenever required. The catalogue also comes in useful when you approach new galleries, collectors and curators.

5. Internet reach

The Internet allows you to reach out to a much larger audience base, which you may not have been able to approach earlier. In fact, you must plan in such a way that your catalogue text becomes more accessible virtually – you can put it up on your website and share excerpts on social media, emails and newsletters. All this enhances your reach considerably and allows you to tap into newer markets.

Commonly asked questions

Who do I approach to write my catalogue text or essay?

Ideally, a well-known critic is the best option, however, if that is not feasible, look for writers who are well established in the art world and who are familiar with your work. For instance, I like to write for artists whose works I can relate to. That way, I can be fair to the artist and do justice to his/her work. Incidentally, you can also have more than one person writing an essay; just make sure that they address different aspects of your art to avoid repetition. Once you have the text you can decide how best to maximise it.

 

Can I write the text myself?

That would be the artist statement. It cannot be a critical essay on your art. Ideally, you should have both, at least one essay and an artist statement as part of your catalogue, along with all the other elements I had mentioned earlier.

 

What about costs?

It depends on who you approach for the text. It might be possible for you to get a short essay done for a

couple of thousand rupees by a relatively new writer. But, I would suggest you invest more and have the text written by someone with more experience and better credentials. Remember, how I talked about adding value to your art, that’s one of the reasons you need to approach an appropriate writer who can take your art to another level. Believe me, there are writers who can add so much value to your art.

Apart from the text, there are additional costs in design, layout, compilation, proofreading and printing of the catalog, if you choose to do so. If you print, the cost will also depend on the number of pages, size and copies. But, you can choose to print later and do a pdf now along with an abbreviated copy as handouts. Many artists I know design their own catalogue, which saves them a substantial amount of money.

 

Look for a sponsor

There are corporates and foundations that will sponsor the catalogue partly or wholly. You can also approach your old collectors and see if they would like to bear costs in exchange of an artwork. Your gallery may also be able to point you towards the right people willing to share costs in exchange for credits and adverts.
You can also opt for fewer words to optimise writer's fees.

Hope this article helps you in deciding about a catalogue for your current art series or your next exhibition. Let me know if you have any more questions or would like me to write your catalogue essay; send me an email at artsceneinfo@gmail.com

No part of this article can be reproduced in part or whole on a blog/website or in print without permission. 

 

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• TIPS: 6 Tips On How To Approach An Art Gallery And Find Gallery Representation
• TIPS: Exhibiting Art in Non-Gallery Spaces 
• TIPS: Guide To Exhibiting Your Artworks
• TIPS: How To Write An Artist Statement
• TIPS: How to Create an Online Presence
• TIPS: How to organize an art exhibition

Tips: Exhibiting Art in Non-Gallery Spaces

What you should know before exhibiting your artwork in alternative spaces, such as hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and even malls.

In a weak economy, it helps to be creative and look for alternative sources of income. For an artist it could mean exploring online options for selling art and it could also involve looking for unconventional venues and non-gallery spaces for exhibiting art. In this context, let’s consider the factors involved in exhibiting your artworks in spaces, such as hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and even malls.

In India, there have been a lot of changes in the art scene and people are adopting creative approaches to tap newer markets and clientele. Many shows are organized by art dealers and promoters in alternate venues. When a show is organized by a professional, it becomes easier for artists to navigate terms and conditions and ensure that all their concerns are addressed.

On the other hand, if as an artist, you are approached directly to put up a few artworks in a commercial space, you need to ensure that you get a fair deal. Working outside a gallery can be a complicated process with several unknown elements and it helps to have a clear picture of what it encompasses. Knowing that art can be a huge draw for their clients, there are an increasing number of commercial venues who are exploring tie ups with artists and galleries. Having an art show or just having art on the walls does make it a culturally enhanced space, so yes; they need you as much as you need them.

There are benefits in exhibiting in a non-gallery space if you can take care of a few factors. One of the first things that you should do is to make sure that exhibiting in such a venue is not conflicting with the policies of any of the galleries that you are associated with.

Exposure and Visibility

A huge advantage in exhibiting in a non-gallery space is that the audience is very different from the regular crowd which visits art galleries. So, in terms of exposure and visibility it is a great idea to explore alternative venues, especially if you have artworks to spare. There is a chance that you may not sell your artworks, as people who walk in for meals or coffee are often unlikely to buy art on a whim. More so, if this is a place which is not a regular on the art and culture scene! Having said that, remember that such venues are growing in number which means that the audience is becoming more aware and conditioned to the idea of buying art.

Here are a few things to know when finalizing the place. Make sure it is a space which has sufficient footfalls and the ambience is interesting. Discuss with the management to ensure that the display is good and your artwork is not being used simply for the purposes of interior decoration.

If it is going to be an exhibition for a short time, then it makes sense to ensure there is enough publicity for the event and there are invites, write-ups and print material to give out more information about you - contact details and your profile. Remember, people who are buying your art would like to know more about you.

It helps to have multiple events to coincide with your show. You could and should insist on having a preview, in addition to other events which could be related to food, music or artist interactions. These are all beneficial and help to get people to come and attend these functions and hopefully also buy.

It’s important that the artworks appear to be on sale and not part of the interior décor, because unless clearly stated even if a visitor likes the painting, he is not going to inquire about it if it looks like the painting is part of the décor. Carefully work out the sizes and costs of the artworks to make them attractive to clients.

Confirm

Costs: Framing and printing of the invites, cards and leaflets. Are there any other costs? If there is a preview who is bearing the cost.

Duration: How long will the artworks be on display – short term (less than one month) or is it for a longer (more than six months) time frame. In case it is for a longer time, you may want to rotate/replace the paintings every couple of months.

Commission: How much is the hotel going to charge you for the sale of each artwork? The percentage is usually significantly lower than what an art gallery would normally charge.

Exposure: Find out if they plan to advertise, send out newsletters to their clients or if they will hire a PR Agency to do the media publicity.

Display: Where are the artworks displayed? Is it in some corner where no one will see it, or is it in a high visibility area where there are a lot of visitors? Give your inputs to ensure a good display. Make sure the lighting is appropriate and highlights your work.

Insurance: Who is responsible for loss or damage to the artwork – what about insurance costs?

Work out the logistics of delivering the artworks – packaging and shipping and discuss the payment options in advance.

I hope this helps you when next time you are approached by a commercial venue to have an exhibition.

If you have exhibited in a hotel, café or a mall, tell us about your experience, Also, if you have any suggestions, please share with us.

If you enjoyed reading this article, do share it using the social media widgets at the top and subscribe to receive regular updates from Art Scene India

 

Related posts,

• TIPS: 6 Tips On How To Approach An Art Gallery And Find Gallery Representation
• TIPS: Guide To Exhibiting Your Artworks
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6 Tips On How To Approach An Art Gallery And Find Gallery Representation

For new and upcoming artists it may be difficult to approach an art gallery and find gallery representation. Here are a few points to help you get started.

It may often be difficult for an artist to find that first foothold in an art gallery. Art schools cover every aspect of art history, artists, techniques and skills but rarely cover the practicalities of establishing yourself as an artist. Many new and upcoming artists struggle for gallery representation and for inclusion in group exhibitions. In such a situation, having a solo exhibition with the support of an art gallery becomes even more elusive.

Therefore, those who pass out of art schools or have been learning painting informally need to know how to approach a gallery. Remember, galleries receive so many portfolios, images and requests from artists that most of the time it is physically impossible for them to go through each of these and get back to the artist.

Have A Systematic Approach

1. Annual art exhibitions: These are organized by art schools annually and it is one of the ways to get noticed by gallery managers and representatives: These events are popular with gallerists, curators and art connoisseurs as they scout around for emerging talent, to buy art at affordable prices and to look for potential participants for future exhibitions. However, in the current weak economy, this trend is greatly reduced. Certain art school events become synonymous with quality artworks and I know a few people who make it a point to visit the annual event at MS University, Baroda, Shantiniketan and Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore.

It therefore makes sense that even students rise to the occasion and put in effort to create artworks which stand out. If this works well and a gallery signs you up for a future show, then you are amongst the fortunate ones and all you will need to worry about is living up to the expectations of the gallery.

2. Reference point: One of the best ways to get a gallery to review your portfolio and to agree to meet you is by ‘reference’. If an artist or a curator who is either working with the gallery or is involved with them in any way, refers you and your artwork, there is a very good chance that the gallery will be at least willing to look at the images of your works.

3. Shortlist: Zero in on the galleries that you would like to approach. It doesn’t make sense to send your artworks to all the galleries possible, because your art may not be suitable for many of them. For instance, a gallery specializing in photography will not be interested in your paintings or videos. Therefore look for a match, and it need not be in the same city.

4. Contact the Gallery:

• Create a portfolio: Make an artist portfolio with your best images, an excerpt from your artist statement, resume and selected exhibitions. Ensure it looks professionally done.
• Contact: Send an e-mail to the gallery - write a polite covering letter and send your portfolio to the gallery. Make sure it includes your contact details and has a link to your website/ blog. I feel a soft copy is so much better than an envelope with copies of photographs or a CD, which can sometimes remain unopened.
• Follow up: You can follow up with the gallery after a reasonable amount of time, say about two to three weeks and request for an appointment.

5. Be visible: You can also participate in juried exhibitions and apply for art grants, which may give you visibility.

6. Network: Networking with the right people can really get you places. Visiting art shows and events and being active online will allow you to grow your network of like-minded people, which will help you in getting advice and references for galleries to approach and also about participation in possible group shows.

Final Tips

• Keep the content limited; nobody has time to go through hundreds of images and pages and pages of written material.
• Allow sufficient time to pass before you follow up with a gallerist/curator.
• Always make an appointment before you show up at the gallery.

There is no quick fix solution, but as an artist who is talented you will find the right gallery for you. Be patient and persevere.

I hope this helps you and if you have any other tips for upcoming artists, then I would love to hear from you. It would be great to learn from your experience and I’m sure new artists will appreciate it. Share with us in the comments section below or you can even send me an email.

If you enjoyed reading this article and you think it could help others as well, please share it using the social media widgets at the top.

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Tips: How to Create an Online Presence

Tips: How to Create an Online Presence

For artists, photographers and writers it is important to have a strong online presence. Here’s what you can do to create one. 

In today’s Internet age, it has become vital to create an online presence which supports your artistic and entrepreneurial practice. In India, access to computers and the Internet has risen enormously in the last few years, however I still find that many artists and writers are reluctant to utilize and leverage the advantages of building an online presence.

What is an online presence?

An online presence is the consolidated result of multiple efforts and activities around your website, social media networks, your interactions on various fora, any articles that you may have written and press/media coverage. Now, what this does is it creates an identity which represents you and your activities in the virtual world.
It is important to realize that it takes time and effort to build an online presence and be patient.

Advantages of an online presence

One of the major advantages that I find is that it allows me to connect with people who have a similar interest and in this case with artists, writers and art connoisseurs. It therefore allows one to have a much wider reach and lets you connect with gallerists, dealers, writers, curators, potential buyers and so many other people who would otherwise find it impossible to access you. It is also a great way to build your brand and expand your business.

Have a Website or Blog

The first thing that you can do is to create a website or a blog which represents your art or writing, showcases some of your works, gives some details about your exhibitions and shows, articles, lists out your profile in brief and provides links to other websites that sell your work, have articles either by you or about you.

I think it’s very important to create a website which appears to be professional – well designed with a good format that lays out all the important information prominently and has quality content free from grammatical errors. An attractive looking website is definitely an advantage and here is where your artistic sensibilities can be put to good use!

Be Social

Social media is not just about posting images and the occasional comment, but I see it more as building a relationship. And, it is really interesting how you start getting to know people even when you interact with them just in the virtual world and have never met them otherwise.

Facebook is one place where I find so many artists and other creative people, so it appears that most artists are already utilizing at least one social media option. But there are other options as well, Pinterest and Instagram work very well for image oriented content.

Google+ is another great tool which allows you to create communities, share images and information and to also connect through hangouts. I now find a lot of artists and photographers on G+. It is also a great way to present your artworks and to find potential clients. Linkedin also works well for the art community, especially the business side of it.

I think there are very few artists from India on Twitter and I really wonder why, because it seems to be a great place to tweet about your latest artwork, blog post or an event, etc and to reach out to a really large number of people.

Some of the points to remember here are

• Share other artists’ and writers' works too
• Comment frequently and try to say something positive about others’ works
• Please don’t keep posting the same image over and over again
• Do not start chatting the moment you see someone online, I know some people find it irritating and it’s always better to first send a mail or message.
• Always make sure that you provide a link to your website so that people have the option of visiting it.
• When you post images it is a good idea to mention a few lines about it.

I hope this helps you and if you are already well versed with the tools to building a strong online presence, then I would love to hear from you. It would be great to know what has worked for you and what is the ONE advice that you would give others. Share with us in the comments section below.

If you enjoyed reading this article and you think it could help others as well, please share it using the social media widgets at the top.

Tips on How to Title an Artwork

What is the purpose of the title of an art work?

An appropriate title can add value to the artwork and complement it, whereas a pretentious or incongruous title can sometimes be a distraction. An interesting title can even spark an interest in the artwork and engage the viewer instantly. Assigning a title to an artwork requires a certain amount of skill which can be easily developed over the years and therefore becomes easier with experience. 

I am sure everyone has grappled with naming an artwork, trying to find the perfect title which describes the work of art to perfection and is an apt representation of the artist’s intention. It can be a challenge because it does require an articulation of the visual imagery.  

The title of an artwork is an introduction and provides a context to the viewer and allows him/her to approach it with a sense of anticipation.  I find short titles which are descriptive and aligned with the visuals work best.  Very long and ostentatious titles sound just that, exaggerated and even absurd.   

Also, I’m not particularly fond of ‘Untitled’, except in rare cases where an artwork truly does not require any descriptive effort.  There are some instances where an artwork is simply eloquent and speaks for itself; here a title would be an encumbrance. In most untitled works, the general impression is that a suitable title could not be found or sufficient effort was not put into it.

I’ve noticed there is a strong inclination to title abstracts as ‘Untitled’, but I find that an unusual and creative title adds so much value to the artwork.  It makes it easier to relate to the artist and the art. Unique names are easier to track and remember and naming artworks is useful for documentation purposes as well.

Coming up with the perfect title

Finding the right title can be an interesting process, since titles can be simple and straightforward, descriptive, numbered after the series, imaginative and even philosophical.  The names can be based on colours, emotions, events, elements, objects, location, literary text, popular fiction and concept, depending on the content and theme of the artwork.  For instance, while naming a landscape, instead of calling it Landscape-1, II, III, or Seasons or Nature, describing the mood and colours in the artwork may be more effective.

Remember that the title also gives an indication of the depth of your artwork and whether it is meant to be literal or figurative.  It gives a clue whether it must be read at the surface level or should one go deeper and look for the philosophical intent.  Similarly, if your work is inspired by another artist’s series or a writer’s book, then the title could give an indication about the original work, yet emphasize that it is your interpretation of it.

Steps

• Begin by jotting down the thoughts and ideas behind your artwork.  Ideally this should be done when you are at the conceptual stage of the artwork.  Still it’s never too late and in any case you have to do this for your artist statement!
• Write down phrases which express your intent and views, then choose the ones which work best and correlate with the artwork.
• See if you can simplify them further, yet make them sound better. A thesaurus can be a very useful tool in looking for similar and better sounding words, but do make sure that the meaning remains unchanged.
• Excerpts or short phrases from literary prose and poetry which are adapted to suit the artwork can certainly add interest.  However, this doesn’t always work. The reverse works much better, i.e. if your art is based or inspired by a particular literary text then naming it accordingly highlights the connection.
• Although, not all titles may appear on Google, it may help to cross check to ensure that your title is original.  If not you can introduce minor variations.

Regional language

In India we have many artists who are comfortable and prefer to title their works in a regional language.  Every language has an inherent charm and beauty and therefore for regional exhibitions, use of local language is an excellent idea and helps to form a bond between the viewer and the artwork.  However, if the exhibition is a travelling one or there is a chance that it may be shown abroad, it might be a good idea to have a transliteration of the text in English.

Let me know how you go about naming your artworks and if you have any tips for others.  As a viewer have you come across any interesting titles that you would like to share, please comment below.

If you enjoyed reading this article, do share it using the social media widgets at the top and subscribe to receive regular updates from http://www.artsceneindia.com/

Related posts,

Guide: How to Write an Artist Statement 

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Guide: Exhibiting your Artworks

Guide: How to Write an Artist Statement

Over the years I have received many press kits from artists and galleries. Some of these have been exceptionally comprehensive, complete with all documents and images in order, whereas there have been many times when it has been frustrating for me to get bits and pieces of information and then have to chase the gallery/artist for more material.

An artist statement is an essential part of the press kit and often the most neglected. So here’s a guide on how to write an effective artist statement, what it should contain and tips on making it more professional.

What is an artist statement?