Sourcing Original, Affordable, Art
Aside from attending art fairs aimed at price point specifics such as the aptly named ‘Affordable Art Fair’ a great alternative when sourcing art is to consider an ‘emerging artist’s’ work. A term that often refers to artists who are positioned in their early to mid-career. They are artists whose work displays confidence and direction along with a back catalogue of sales and exhibitions.
Emerging artist’s work; a worthy consideration.
* Access to quality, original art, photography, prints and applied arts such as ceramics, jewellery from entry to mid-level prices. At this stage of an artist’s career, the hours of work involved in creating the art may very well exceed the price being charged.
* A price range that may require consideration but will not cause a sharp intake of breath.
* In buying from an emerging artist you will be supporting their journey to a sustainable future and career success.
Often a few important purchases of an artist’s work at the right time are retrospectively regarded as a pivotal point in their career.
* Often you will be dealing with the artist directly. Time to talk in detail about their working practice which makes the choosing and buying an authentic experience. The artist may also direct you in how best to frame the work and which framer to approach.
One point of interest to note…
Works made in precious metals will still carry a substantial price as the metal alone is a cost before the artist wields their skills.
However, a piece of art will pay dividends as a cultural investment and sometimes a financial one although buying for financial gains will often end in disappointment. You will read the following advice often…
‘Buy what you love’ - however carrying out some research beforehand will make for a more fulfilling purchase.
Sculpture Nichola Theakston …works in ceramics and metals
So where to find emerging artists?
Although social media provides access to a plethora of artist’s work, it is a Sisyphean task to filter the endless pages of the good, the bad and the ugly of online art, leaving even the most tenacious researcher overwhelmed.
There are other ways to access artist’s on a more personal level and view their work first hand.
Degree Shows
MFA Degree Show 2019
A display emporium of graduate’s works, organised by their Universities. Degree shows happen once a year somewhere from the end of May to the beginning of July and will include the work of BA and MA students.
Not near a university or art college? Since COVID has raised its head Universities now foreground online viewing or links to artist’s work as protocol. Here are a few examples.
**Columbia University of the Arts**
It’s not just end of year shows where students exhibit.
Identify the spaces on your walls or in your room and measure up. To estimate painting sizes for a wall space it helps to work backwards... using decorator’s adhesive tape, lightly mark the corners of your proposed size. This will be the outer corner of the framed work.
Remember that the centre of the work should be at eye level or as close to it as possible. Now stand back and consider if the ratio of size to available space, works.
Adjust until you are happy with the result and save the measurements.
So now you will aim to do one of three things.
Use an image which you will frame up to fit this size.
Use a framed work which matches these final dimensions.
Purchase a painting on canvas which matches or is close to the final dimensions
Some apps will help with placing paintings, in situ, on walls. However, it’s probably better to experience the dimensions in real-time than virtually and then photograph to review later. Somehow looking at an item in a space, through the lens, highlights issues or confirms the potential, a process that artists use often to review their work.
Perhaps the space available is suited to a series of smaller related works themed by the fact that they are created by the same artist or by different artists with the same genre or subject matter, framed in a mix of styles.
Remember that not every available space requires an artwork...it is a good idea to punctuate the visual message.
image sadevalentina.com.br
Not for Profit Galleries
Rest assured these spaces are free from pushy gallerists. You will be welcomed with a smile and left to browse in peace. I would also say that the work exhibited will host ‘of the moment’ contemporary art with more challenging themes that may not necessarily be suited to a ‘cosy’ home environment unless your home is a dedicated space of art appreciation.
Email your local arts council to discover where these galleries are located including galleries foregrounding solely photography or printing graduate’s work.
Open Days
Artist’s communities often rent space together such as converted office blocks or industrial buildings and will host open days for the public.
Alternatively individual artists who are not part of a community may decide to host a ‘studio sale’at any time of the year. Follow them on social media and keep up to date with invites.
Studios in a town or city, align dates twice a year when you can spend the day popping in and out of several artist locations.
Inviting the outside world into the heart of their productivity is a great way for interested buyers to meet the artists and gain first- hand information about their approach to their creative practice. Find and follow them online for info on upcoming events.
**Open Studios Cornwall** England
**Belfast Open Studios** Northern Ireland
**High line Open Studios** New York
Open call exhibitions and competitions
Annual competitions are mainly aimed at emerging artists. Attending the finalists’ exhibition in person or online is a great way to access the quality of the work which will have been chosen by a panel of art professionals. It is worth remembering …art awards neither make good artists nor confirm bad ones.
Some competitions are international and some national.
Here are three examples of Uk based open calls with many more to be found online.
**The Royal Academy of Arts.** London
**The Jerwood Drawing Prize.**
**The Signature Art prize.** For current art students and recent graduates.
Go explore & discover
Find your local arts council website or similar.
Each country will have a government affiliate or arts body who fund and allocate grants for both ‘Not for Profit’ galleries and artists. So take direction from there and discover independant artists and artist networks in your community.
