Practical tips to collect contemporary art

If you are keen to collect contemporary art, these basic tips will prove to be handy:

• See as many artworks of different forms as you can. It’s a highly fulfilling social activity, and by far the best means of developing your eye and sense as a collector. Try and visit as many art galleries– both commercial and public– as possible, apart from taking a round of permanent collections, to develop your critical faculties.
  
  
• When watching art, grasp your response to a particular work. View it from different angles and perspectives and as many times as you feel like before reading the accompanying exhibition notes. This will enhance your critical autonomy.
  
  
• Focus and introspect on your initial response and review the work again. This will help cultivate a more rigorous and deep understanding of personal taste and inclinations. The process will take time and also involve creative energies to appreciate a work of art as possible.
  
  
• Going through reviews, art write-ups, curator essays and research articles is important for o upgrading your knowledge and awareness of the key trends and concepts. Identifying nuances of contemporary practice and getting a grasp of art history are both equally vital. Make an effort to critically engage with gallerists and artists.
  
  
• Become a member of any contemporary art organization or society, to get independent specialist advice and a chance to attend programs on buying and collecting art. Be part of their mailing lists. Attend private views and art show openings, if possible. Serious collectors should also attend art exhibition openings, fairs and biennales, to make sure that they stay tuned to the latest developments in the emerging and established art centers.
  
  
• Don’t be in a rush to buy. Spend requisite time researching, reading, looking and contemplating rather than resorting to impulse buying. Develop an engagement and a solid framework for your future collection, so it becomes coherent in thought and process.
  
  
• When you are thinking of a purchase, don’t just think of the market trends and value. Don’t be afraid of going by your own affinity and liking for a particular piece of work.