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In October, we held our first ever two-day art investment masterclass at Frieze, London. It was such a pleasure to provide a safe space for our members to learn about this alternative asset class, and to provide the tools to help them feel connected, knowledgeable, and confident in the management of their wealth and finances.
Frieze, London
On Wednesday evening, Sigrid Kirk kindly walked us through her amazing art collection and shared tips about buying art. A huge thank you to our host for such an insightful evening!
Some of Sigrid Kirk's wonderful art
On Thursday, we met at the fantastic exhibition and working space for galleries, Cromwell Place. Nicky Clark and Richard Bagnall-Smith taught us about art investing. We learnt about the key players, how art differs from other asset classes, how it performs in a portfolio, its potential risk and financial return, and the key investment timelines to be considered while holding a piece for return.
Nicky Clark and Richard Bagnall-Smith with our Director of Strategy & Operations, Lisa van Eck
Tom Marks shared his insights on the ecosystem of the art world, from artists and organisations, structure and hierarchies, tips on how to access aspects of the art world you’re interested in, and the strategies for collection building.
Tom Marks with our Director of Strategy & Operations, Lisa van Eck
Here are some of the top pieces of advice:
You can buy art for love, for financial return or both. It is important to understand what kind(s) of returns/value you are looking for, to approach the market appropriately.
There is a lot of conflict of interest in the art market. Expert advice is thus critical. Seek advice from as many professionals as you can, in order to find people you trust.
Authenticity and history - make sure you get to know the history behind a piece of art, how many times it has been sold before, and who made the decision to buy it.
Seek to understand the implication of an auction sale on an artist’s future sales. Artists make very little in auction sales (the secondary market). They generally only make money when their works are sold in the primary market (the first sale of the works either via a gallery or their studio).
Art and impact - be conscious of the money you’re spending and the impact you’re creating. There are many ways to support the art market and underserved artists. Support galleries, institutions and the broader ecosystem. Be conscious of the greater story, message and legacy that an artwork can create.
Frieze Masters, London
Thank you to our incredible speakers for sharing their insights and wisdom with us and giving us great tips to starting/continuing building an art collection! If you would like to connect with any of our speakers, please let us know.
Tom Marks, Richard Bagnall-Smith and Nicky Clark with our Membership Director, Jenna Cane
Our founders Michelle Yue, Bertha Morales & Ana Morales in front of Number 2, by Lee Krasner (1908-1984).