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Studio Museum
in Harlem
J U LY 1 7
O CT. 2 9 , 2 0 1 4

Picasso, Baby

o you want to start collecting

art, but it all seems so intimidating? The quiet, white-walled
galleries, the expensive prices
and insiders lingo can leave you
wondering if a Ph.D. in art history is required. But buying collector-quality art doesnt require
a degree or thousands of dollars. All you need is a
little curiosity.
There are so many points of access for learning
about art and artists, whether you live in a big city
or a small town, says Thelma Golden, director and
chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem.
Websites, art-market news sites and blogs offer
great introductions to art and artists working today.
Although nothing beats a trip to a local gallery

> 20x200

70

20x200.com

V I S I T E B O N Y. C O M / A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Artsy does for visual art

what Pandora did for
music: become a source of
discovery and exploration. The site boasts more
than 140,000 artworks by
25,000-plus artists from
leading art fairs, galleries,
museums and art institutions. artsy.net

> Saatchi Art

Browse paintings
handpicked by the pros
themselves. In-the-know
curators serve up collections of work, or you can
search by artists who are
inspired by such masters
as Jean-Michel Basquiat.
saatchiart.com

Patrick Kelly:
Runway of
Love

REGULARLY VISIT
MUSEUMS AND
GALLERIES. While

galleries are always free to

explore, many museums
have free admission on
certain days and post a
calendar of events online.
Instead of happy hour,
head to an opening after
work. They are great ways
to meet artists and begin
exciting conversations, says
Golden. Get to know the
gallerists, or gallery owners,
to build a relationship so
when you are ready to buy,
youll have a trusted source.

Philadelphia
Museum of Art
A P R I L 2 7
N OV. 3 0 , 2 0 1 4

philamuseum.org

Prospect.3:
Notes for Now

International
Contemporary Art
Biennial,
New Orleans
O CT. 2 5 , 2 0 1 4
JA N . 2 5 , 2 0 1 5

prospectneworleans.org

Radical Presence: Black

Performance in
Contemporary
Art

TAP YOUR CIRCLE OF

FRIENDS. If you know

or meet collectors, ask

for their advice, suggests

Golden. Ask how they
began and learn from their
collecting journeys. Those
in the know can point you
toward emerging talent
and events such as Santa
Monica Museum of Arts
Incognito, where enthusiasts
can get their hands on work
from in-demand artists,
including Mark Bradford, for
$350.

Kerry James Marshall:

Painter, sculptor and
photographer, his work
focuses on AfricanAmerican identity.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA

TO DISCOVER
ARTISTS YOU

LIKE. Art magazines and

newspapers are increasingly

active in the digital realm
with apps, online editions
and social media, Golden
explains. Instagram
offers an effortless way
to follow such artists as
Hank Willis Thomas (@
hankwillisthomas) or
celebrity collectors such as
Swizz Beatz (@swizzbeatz),
who both post cool finds.

Carrie Mae Weems:

Best known for her
gripping photography
that tackles race,
gender and class.

BECOME A MUSEUM
MEMBER. There are

definite advantages to
membership, which include
being invited to exclusive
events and artist meet-andgreets. According to Golden,
You become an instant part
of a like-minded community,
and many museums offer
special membership groups
for young professionals and
emerging collectors.

Njideka Akunyili:
The Nigerian-born, U.S.based artist is lauded
for her figurative collage
paintings of familial
Black life.

Walker Art
Museum,
Minneapolis

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JA N . 4 , 2 0 1 5

walkerart.org

Made in L.A.
2014

Hammer Museum,
Los Angeles
JUNE 15
S E P T. 7, 2 0 1 4

hammer.ucla.edu

Theaster Gates:
Through architecture,
he has become known
for transforming
dilapidated buildings
into cultural hubs and
art-filled housing.

SEAN JUSTICE/CORBIS

THE TOP
ONLINE
SHOPS

This online gallery sells

prints starting at just
$20. Its slogan, Its art for
everyone, could add, Its
art in every size because
20x200 allows shoppers
to buy limited editions in
extra small to extra large
sizes to fit any home.

or one of the dozens of art fairs held nationwide

such as Frieze New York or Art Basel Miami Beach,
Golden says, online resources are a great way to
begin the process of looking and learning.
And dont let the silence inside fool you. Art is
meant to be interactive. Museums are engaged social spaces that should not be intimidating or scary
at all, says the curator, who insists that their hushhush nature encourages visitors to take time to be
impacted by works of art.
Whether youre looking for a sculpture or a
sketch, paintings or portraits, the process is all the
same. Look first, learn what you love, then buy,
recommends Golden.
When youre ready to transform your home from
a blank canvas to an art-filled abode, grab a notebook, a good friend and set out in search of pieces
that inspire you.

> Artsy

studiomuseum.org

NAVIGATE THE CONTEMPORARY ART WORLD AND COLLECT

WHAT YOU LOVE WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

SET A BUDGET AND

STICK TO IT. Being

a millionaire isnt a
requirement to start a
collection, but knowing
how much you want to
spend is. Buying printsa
limited work of art printed
by hand and signed by
the artist, usually with an
edition number written in
the bottom right corner
enables you to capture the
beauty without the hefty
price tag. On the other hand,
investing in a one-of-a-kind
piece that truly moves you
can be a rewarding splurge.
Great collectors buy with
both their heads and their
hearts, shares Golden.

Charles Gaines
Gridwork
19741989
ART DECODED

A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO
COLLECTING ART

ARTISTS
TO KNOW

AUGUST 2014

/ V I S I T E B O N Y. C O M

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