A Beginners Guide to Starting an Art Collection by Etienne Kiss-Borlase

A BEGINNERSGUIDE TO

STARTING AN ARTCOLLECTION

A R T C O L L E C T I N G

B Y E T I E N N E K I S S - B O R L A S EWWW.ETIENNEKISS-BORLASE.CH

It’s easy to get caught up in a high-pricedpassion piece and blow your budget

before you’ve even gotten started. Decidefrom the beginning how much you’re

prepared to spend and how many piecesyou would ideally like to have. Make sureto factor in figure costs into your budget

such as framing, maintenance, andinsurance. You’d be surprised how much

that can add to your total cost.

E S T A B L I S H A R E A L I S T I CB U D G E T F R O M T H E G E T - G O .

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Once you find a peace that speaks to you,make sure it fits within your long term

collection goals. Each piece should have ameaningful place in the overall purposeof your collection. What you buy todayshould be enjoyed for years to come. Itshouldn’t be looked at as a short-termprofit unless you’ve found an up and

coming talent before you believe they’reabout to hit it big. This can be a fun and

lucrative exception.

T H I N K L O N G T E R M .


Part of being a beginner is learning the ropes.There’s no better way to begin understanding

the art world and start forming opinions aboutwhat you would like in your collection than byseeing as much art as possible. The more you

see, the better you’ll understand what’s outthere, what it costs, and most importantly,

what you like. Find out where your localgalleries and museums are. Subscribe to anonline art publication or magazine. Attend a

few art fairs. These are all great places to start.

S E E A S M U C H A R T A SP O S S I B L E .


Waiting to buy your first piece can feellike waiting to open presents on

Christmas morning. It’s an exciting andengaging process, but don’t buy the firstpretty thing that comes along. Wait for a

piece that you truly love and want tospend years admiring.

D O N ’ T R U S H .


Are you buying a new piece for saledirectly by the living artist or are you

buying it from a collector at an auctionhouse or gallery? Make sure you

understand the fees involved in thetransaction. Galleries usually take theirfee from the seller, but auction houses

can charge an additional 20 - 25 percentbuyer’s premium.

M A K E S U R E Y O U U N D E R S T A N DT H E B U Y I N G P R O C E S S .


Before you agree to buy, make sure youlearn as much about your potentialpiece and it’s creator. The gallery or

auction house can likely fill you in onmany of the details, but don’t shy awayfrom doing your own research back athome. You may also want to consult aprofessional advisor who can estimate

the long-term value of the piece.

D O Y O U R R E S E A R C H .


If you aren’t sure what a fair price is, chancesare you’ll get a better idea by looking at the

selling price of comparable works by the sameartist. You can obtain this information from

the auction house or gallery or from the onlineauction records of Christie’s, Sotheby’s or

Phillips. Another great tip: you can sometimesfind more reasonably priced art at charity

auctions and studio tours.

C O M P A R E T H E P R I C E T OS I M I L A R W O R K S .


Art advisors make a great living at what they dofor a reason: people need professional

guidance. If you’re unsure or having seriousdoubts about a potential purchase, by all

means meet with an advisor. Not only will theymake sure you’re not making a poor

investment, but they’ll also be able to guide youto similar pieces and artists based on what you

have shown an interest in. They have insiderknowledge that takes years and sometimes

decades to acquire. Take advantage of everyresource you have, and you’ll be sure to sleep

soundly knowing you’ve made the right choice.

D O N ’ T H E S I T A T E T O S E E K AP R O F E S S I O N A L S O P I N I O N .


Art & Photos

A Beginners Guide to Starting an Art Collection by Etienne Kiss-Borlase