27th february 2024, by Patrick DENNY, art advisor & art dealer
Our consumer society has transformed the way we look at art to such an extent that a recent study by the famous auction house Drouot revealed our tendency to treat a work of art as a decorative element that should match the colours of our walls or the style of our furniture. In this way, a painting becomes a consumer good that we will tire of over time, just as we tire of clothes that we wear according to the fashions of the moment.
Yet the artist wanted to express something with his work. He didn’t create it with our home décor in mind. His approach is personal and authentic, and above all it speaks to our hearts.
💖 IS THE STORY OF YOUR ENCOUNTER WITH A WORK OF ART...
Buying a work of art is like starting a love affair. You need feelings, emotions and the desire to love.
And it all starts with an encounter, somewhere in an exhibition or gallery, and then the magic happens!
You risk changing your décor more than once in your life, moving house or changing the colour of your walls and furniture, whereas a work of art should be able to follow you all your life, guiding you, taking you on a journey, making your everyday life less monotonous and more inspiring. So choose a work of art for the emotion it evokes in you, not for its brilliance or style. If the emotion is genuine, the work will evolve with you and its symbolism will change over time, without ever boring you. In the longer term, you may even change your décor to reflect the paintings, photographs and sculptures that surround you.
„The real purpose of art is not to create beautiful objects: it is a method of thinking, a way of understanding the universe and finding one’s place in it“. – Paul Auster, American novelist
🕰️HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS WORK WILL STILL SPEAK TO ME 10, 20, 30 YEARS FROM NOW?
First, you need to ask yourself what emotion the work makes you feel. To answer this question, take the time to observe it, admire it, and understand its composition and subject matter. What did the artist want to express? Why this colour rather than another? What details add importance to the subject? Is the light soft, strong or contrasting? When you come face to face with the work, you’ll have the feeling that you’ve made it your own, since the symbolism that emerges will come solely from your eyes and the intimacy of your subjectivity.
Next, ask yourself whether the emotion you feel is linked to a memory, a person you care about, an event that has marked your life, a scar from the past, a subject that is close to your heart, a thread that speaks to you or is linked to other works that you already own.
If you are able to associate your emotions with something that is important to you, it goes without saying that the work will be able to live with you for a long time. Especially if you learn to develop a relationship with it, to look at it from every angle, to rediscover it as the seasons change and as your mood takes you. You might be surprised by the new details you discover over time, details that you’ll grow attached to.
💭 I'VE FOUND THE ARTIST I'M LOOKING FOR, BUT I CAN'T DECIDE WHICH WORK TO CHOOSE...
If you’ve fallen in love with one, you don’t even have to think about it: you can just go ahead and buy it.
If you have several favourites and you don’t know where to start? Go for a small format or an edition and see how this work transforms your everyday life. It will then be easier to choose a second, and then a third work, once you’ve experienced the world of an artist at your side.
💫 LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION, EXPLORE YOUR ARTISTIC SOUL!
The more you observe the work of artists you like, the more you’ll learn to recognise what makes you tick, and therefore to get to know yourself. Appreciation of a work of art is very personal. Don’t choose a painting just to impress your guests! Surround yourself with what makes you dream! This will make the interior of your home more authentic and unique, just like you.
Finally, understanding a work of art is a long process that could take several years. In fact, it could take a lifetime. You’ll grow older, you’ll change, and so will the way you look at the things around you. Your relationship with your painting or sculpture will evolve just as much, and that’s the magic of art!
The end!
