As we have just passed the turn of the century, human art has become more curious than it has ever been before. Not only did criteria for beauty elevate itself beyond the visual, but it has gone and permeated many of the other senses as well. Thee days the words “sound sculpture” or “water sculpture” are fairly common among the lingo of art curators and gallery owners. New methodologies and novelties make buying art an even more exciting, yet more risky adventure for the newcomer.
Contemporary modernism seems to be the top-runner these days when it comes to genre-oriented art fame. Though old masters of realism and naturalism still conquer much of the high class markets due to their generation-friendly themes and output.
You may feel a hint of confusion when dealing with a gallery for the first time, especially if the gallery handles more than a handful of new artists every month. What you should always remember is to ask about the artist involved with the work you’re buying. Take into consideration his or her age in comparison with the workmanship being shown, as well as how striking each element in the piece matches your own taste. A common inquiry by new collectors is the question of the artist’s history, awards and past exhibitions- these would be the usual criteria for a successful ‘investment’ as these days many buyer of art prefer to keep their monetary value over giving drive to their personal taste for beauty.
Depending on your reason for buying art, the criteria for judgment and selection can vary, but the truest experience comes from learning the ropes yourself and deciding for yourself. You could go for a piece that touches your heart, or one that would look great with the happy home you’ve built for your family. You could also go for the strange oddity that climbs the price ladder each and every year, hoping that it could double your investment by 2012. There are indeed many ways to look at this. Art and sculpture buying is a very fickle topic and can sway with the times. What won’t sway however, is the legacy that a serious artist leaves, because if an artist or sculptor is truly bent on creating a fine career our of that beautiful artpiece you’ve just seen in the gallery, then he will make it a point to show you. Be it in exhibits, or the news, or the internet. Prominence is always one way of knowing that despite everything you’ve made a true and good choice in purchasing your artwork. This goes hand in hand with visual consistency as well. Always keep a look out for your artist’s works and don’t be afraid to email him or her if you have an inquiry. Artists are among some of the friendliest people I have met, and I do not think that’s going to change anytime soon.
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