How much art do you own? Your home may be crammed with creations, or perhaps it’s time to take those first, tentative steps into the world of art; either way, Jessica Lloyd-Smith, founder of Modern ArtBuyer, has been working with the Royal West of England Academy to help find the perfect pieces for people…
More often than not, when local people are asked by The Bristol Magazine, ‘Where do you go in the city when you want to feel inspired?’, the answer is one of the local galleries, such as the Royal West of England Academy (RWA). Art can mean different things to different people, of course, and when it comes to actually purchasing pieces, that can bring new dimensions into the creative sphere entirely – the sentimental value of a child’s drawing stuck onto the fridge is curiously incomparable to the monetary value of a sculpture by a renowned artist sitting on a shelf in the very same kitchen.
That’s why buying art can be such a rewarding adventure: championing incredible talent, supporting local art venues and investing in the creative industries. The reasons behind any purchase are numerous: it might be a gift, to fill an empty spot on the wall, part of a room’s redecoration, adding to a specific collection or simply loving a work of art. And it can be even more valuable when you have the right advice. Which is where someone like Jessica Lloyd-Smith comes in. She runs Modern ArtBuyer, a contemporary art gallery and art consultancy. Jessica set it up 14 years ago as a gallery, hosting pop-up exhibitions and showing at art fairs with a roster of contemporary painters and printmakers, and says that over the years, the business has evolved into more of a consultancy where she helps clients find the perfect artworks for their homes, offices or to add to their collection.
“Every purchase makes a huge difference to an artist’s practice and life,” Jessica explains. “Financially it supports them, but also the artist can see that their work is connecting with viewers, which is a huge personal and professional endorsement for them.”
She has been working closely with RWA over the past year to support its commercial goals, which – importantly – in turn has financial benefits for academicians, exhibiting artists and also the RWA charity itself. Specifically, she’s attended events promoting the RWA Open to offer guidance and advice for any visitors looking to buy, while also working closely with the team there to help them grow their knowledge and confidence around selling art.
Hello, Jessica! How do you go about advising people on collecting art?
“I always advocate buying art you love. It’s easy to get drawn into trends or to look for pieces in the correct size or that match an interior scheme, but you want to find artworks that open up a dialogue with you and that keep you emotionally interested. You don’t need to ache over the reason why you love something, but just look for that connection.
“There are also practical considerations. If you’re buying for your own home, you need to think about how you want that space to feel. An artwork can totally change the feel of a room so imagine how it will impact the rest of your home. Bringing along photographs of the space as a reminder, measurements and clear images of other artworks that any new pieces may sit alongside, will help to guide your choices.
“Beyond that, look at the artist’s practice, the quality of a piece, provenance and of course budget, all of which will help you narrow down your selection. When visiting a show like the RWA Open, you can browse the artworks comforted by the knowledge that the pieces have all been selected by an esteemed, expert panel with years of experience.
The ‘seal of approval’ is in place once an artwork has been selected, so buyers can feel confident in their personal choice.”
What are your key tips to those thinking about collecting art?
“Trust your instincts about the pieces you are drawn to – you don’t need to overthink why you like an artwork, so just look for that emotional connection I mentioned before. Challenge yourself and push the boundaries of what you might usually choose. Look for something that you won’t tire of immediately.”
Is buying art always an investment or can it be because you like something?
“There are so many variables and factors that affect the value of an artwork, such as quality, demand and rarity, that it’s hard to be sure an artwork will have a buyer at a greatly elevated price at the time the owner wants to sell. Even if they do realise a good return on investment, it will likely take a long time to materialise, so it’s important to be able to enjoy it on the wall in the meantime, so always buy a piece you love.”
Curious about art collecting?
There are a number of art-collecting events you can attend at the RWA (‘Introduction to Collecting Art’: 19 September and 14 November, both 11am-12pm), which are part of the 173rd Annual Open Exhibition, for people who are interested in purchasing art from the exhibition and will be an opportunity to find out more about starting or building your art collection from choosing art to fit within your home or office to looking at art as an investment.
There are also ‘Tuesday Lates’ held at the gallery (29 September, 6 October and 3 November – all 6pm-7.30pm) which are a relaxed evening exploring artworks in the Annual Open Exhibition, with informal guidance from the RWA team on collecting art. Several RWA Academicians will also be there, giving visitors the chance to hear directly from artists about their works in the show. Whether you’re considering your first purchase or looking to add to your collection, these friendly evening sessions offer inspiration, practical advice and the opportunity to ask questions. Every purchase helps sustain the RWA’s Grade II-listed building, supports artists, delivers exhibitions and creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with art through the charity’s learning, engagement and community programmes.
Read more about the RWA’s Annual Open Exhibition, which opens on 12 September, in this issue’s Arts listings. Visit rwaopen.co.uk for more information about buying art and the events mentioned.
