How Much Is Art?
One of the things I love doing is poking around art galleries. There's something very peaceful about wandering around a quiet room, looking at stuff and evaluating it.
As I mention in the video, I recently went to see "Intensely Dutch" at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (New South Wales is the state in which I live; Sydney is the capital. No one knows why it has such a dumb name.)
A lot of the small art galleries I've been to feature only one artist; he/she sets up a shop to try and sell her stuff. I've seen lots of art that I like, and have always wondered about buying a painting or drawing or something. But one question, the big question, has always had me stumped.
How much?
Obviously there are no price tags on any art anywhere. You're expected to look at it, and come up with a price yourself. But what's reasonable? I mean, if I offer an artist twenty bucks for his painting is he going to be insulted? Or is he going to take it as a compliment that I'm looking to purchase his stuff.
Seriously, I'm not trying to be funny. If someone has done a sketch that has taken him all of half an hour to do, is it at all within the realms of possibility that he'd say "yeah, you can have it for twenty, do u need a bag for it?"
I'm not looking at starting an art collection (but depending on how cheap everyone thinks I can buy art for, I might!); I've just wondered the answer to this question for a while.
And it's not as if artists have a brochure with price tags on it. (Or is it? As far as I know that is the case.)
June 19th, 2009 - 20:30
Good topic. It depends on the artist. What the artist thinks its worth.
June 20th, 2009 - 00:19
As a jewelry artist, I can say that it’s not so simple. I do fine, intricate beadweaving with teeny-tiny seed beads, and it’s quite time consuming. An original design of that complexity really “should” get hundreds of dollars,for the work, talent and love I put into it, but the truth is that I can’t tap those particular markets where prices like that are just pocket change.
I make small pendants, put them on black cords, and sell them for $15. I make bracelets that go for $80, rings that sell for $35. Those are rock-bottom prices as it is, in my opinion, for my work. My pieces are much more valuable to me than that. If I could sell the pendants for $45 each, I’d be thrilled. The bracelets, $200. Not going to happen, in this economy. It’s a reality check.
The idea, I think, is to earn a reputation and a following of sorts, and move gradually upwards into finer markets. So for your own interests, finding those budding artists like myself is best, because you can get good art at a price you can afford, while knowing that the artist is at least pleased that her work is going to a good home where it will be loved. Later, as the artist advances into those Holy Grail markets…you can say “I knew her when,” all thewhile possessing a piece of art that has increased in value!
June 20th, 2009 - 09:25
yes Bouks you’re right. it is quite complicated.
it depends on the art and who is buying it.
a stamp collector might pay 100 dollars for a stamp
but the average person would only think its worth a few cents.
June 22nd, 2009 - 08:43
Hard for a beginner to work out!