Key aspects to consider while building a quality portfolio

Each artist and his or her works make for their own supply-and-demand equations. Critical factors like who previously owned it; who's keen to buy the work; which gallery/ museum showcase them; and, of course, who's selling them and at what price matter.

Bear in mind the fact that art marketplace is not for speculators. One should gather as much knowledge and insight as possible of the artist one is interested in. Grasp finer aspects of select artists’ work with potential. If you choose well, the value of the work acquired could well jump in matter of a few years.

Don't get so attached to it that you would never weigh the option of selling piece. First and foremost, decide whether you want to be a medium-term investor or a long-term collector.

If you don't have the time, or inclination, to do the fieldwork and trail around an array of galleries, you can approach professional advisors. Seeking their expertise means there’s an implied assurance that the work is of a long-term value irrespective of the market vagaries.

The specialists will devote requisite time, energy and research, to suggest you some of the best names. They constantly visit the art colleges, attend art fairs, take part in seminars, talk to scholars, are in touch with market participants and check auction records to find artists who are likely to do well in future.

Based on their study, they build a database of quality artists to invest in with the potential to offer good returns. Their advice will help you to tap the immense potential of art as a rising asset class. In case of an emerging artist with loads of talent, albeit yet to be discovered or fulfilled in terms of market potential, the prices are obviously more affordable.

It makes sense to buy work of lesser known names with immense talent. Potential purchasers, in most cases, are offered privileged access and would, in all probability, be not likely to find it easily through commercial art venues.