Why do people buy art? Here are 10 reasons that may be the motivation for building what amounts to a "collection".
It's great to look at: Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, of course, but it is also subjective. Still, the initial impulse when buying art is because "it looks great", or "it's awesome". It's also the reason why most people begin their collecting journey with decorative art.
It's a conversation starter: "Is that a Husain?" What could break the ice faster among strangers than a conversation around art, artists, prices, comparisons, the meaning of a specific work, the pursuit of a particularly rare painting… A great work of art betters the other two subjects that get India talking - cricket, and Bollywood.
It gives you intellectual status: But what gives you an even bigger high is being admired for "understanding" contemporary art's more esoteric outings - things that require an explanation. The assumption that you get the meaning while others don't - that's worth serious respect from your peers or friends.
It's a differentiator: Things begin to get exciting when what sets you apart isn't just your choice of art, or artist, but a particular series, or a body of work that distinguishes, say, one Souza collector's work from another's. Why choose a Souza nude over a landscape? Why a 1960s Raza over an '80s one? It's argumentative, and that's the best part.
It's competitive: Nothing gets the adrenalin going like competing for a particular work by an artist at an auction against somebody else. You may not even know who you're bidding against, what charges you is the chase and the excitement. No wonder it's like a spectator sport for the audience - how far will you go? Is it worth it? But then, a work of art is worth whatever price you're willing to pay for it - right?
It is an investment: Eventually, yes, art is an investment. So you enjoy a painting hanging on your wall, but can always liquidate it for cash, should the need arise. It may not give instant liquidity, it may not always fetch high returns, but it can also multiply your investment several times over if you were careful about spotting the right talent at the right time.
You get to be an A-lister at art events: Being wooed with champagne, invited to "collectors only" lounges and events, enticed with private previews, sent passes for the world's most important art fairs, rubbing shoulders with artists, curators and other collectors, it's a heady feeling. It also changes the way you travel - no longer from monument to mall, but gallery opening to museum retrospective.
It's part of history: Art is usually made at a certain time and echoes the style of that period or its society. Some important works are used as illustrations, others become controversial, while some are commissioned for a specific purpose. Such art has historical antecedents and an impeccable provenance. Owning it is like owning a bit of history.
Scripting your own obit: If you're a serious collector, you can be sure you'll be remembered long after you're gone for your discerning eye, or memorialised through your collection, especially if it is open to the public, or brought before the auctioneer's block. A serious collector's works enjoy better returns than an amateur's collection.
Kishore Singh is a Delhi-based writer and art critic. These views are personal and do not reflect those of the organisation with which he is associated
It's great to look at: Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, of course, but it is also subjective. Still, the initial impulse when buying art is because "it looks great", or "it's awesome". It's also the reason why most people begin their collecting journey with decorative art.
It's a conversation starter: "Is that a Husain?" What could break the ice faster among strangers than a conversation around art, artists, prices, comparisons, the meaning of a specific work, the pursuit of a particularly rare painting… A great work of art betters the other two subjects that get India talking - cricket, and Bollywood.
Also Read
It turns you into a patron: No matter how many luxury bags or shoes you buy, or cars you own, you remain a consumer. But when you buy a work of art, you become a connoisseur of good taste and a patron of the arts. That's a high.
It gives you intellectual status: But what gives you an even bigger high is being admired for "understanding" contemporary art's more esoteric outings - things that require an explanation. The assumption that you get the meaning while others don't - that's worth serious respect from your peers or friends.
It's a differentiator: Things begin to get exciting when what sets you apart isn't just your choice of art, or artist, but a particular series, or a body of work that distinguishes, say, one Souza collector's work from another's. Why choose a Souza nude over a landscape? Why a 1960s Raza over an '80s one? It's argumentative, and that's the best part.
It's competitive: Nothing gets the adrenalin going like competing for a particular work by an artist at an auction against somebody else. You may not even know who you're bidding against, what charges you is the chase and the excitement. No wonder it's like a spectator sport for the audience - how far will you go? Is it worth it? But then, a work of art is worth whatever price you're willing to pay for it - right?
It is an investment: Eventually, yes, art is an investment. So you enjoy a painting hanging on your wall, but can always liquidate it for cash, should the need arise. It may not give instant liquidity, it may not always fetch high returns, but it can also multiply your investment several times over if you were careful about spotting the right talent at the right time.
You get to be an A-lister at art events: Being wooed with champagne, invited to "collectors only" lounges and events, enticed with private previews, sent passes for the world's most important art fairs, rubbing shoulders with artists, curators and other collectors, it's a heady feeling. It also changes the way you travel - no longer from monument to mall, but gallery opening to museum retrospective.
It's part of history: Art is usually made at a certain time and echoes the style of that period or its society. Some important works are used as illustrations, others become controversial, while some are commissioned for a specific purpose. Such art has historical antecedents and an impeccable provenance. Owning it is like owning a bit of history.
Scripting your own obit: If you're a serious collector, you can be sure you'll be remembered long after you're gone for your discerning eye, or memorialised through your collection, especially if it is open to the public, or brought before the auctioneer's block. A serious collector's works enjoy better returns than an amateur's collection.
Kishore Singh is a Delhi-based writer and art critic. These views are personal and do not reflect those of the organisation with which he is associated