Despite our love for our high school poster collection, we know it doesn't count as real art. Helping us grow up, and decorate like a grown up is Art Consultant Cleophee Eaton.
I am looking to make my first art investment. Any artists you would suggest?
The first investment in art is always a special one. Before you buy anything, I would suggest having a good idea of what you like and don’t like, as you don’t want to get bored of the piece or have buyer’s remorse. There are artists to suit every budget; here are two I would consider:
- Kristine Moran - showing at Clarke & Faria, is a young painter who Charles Saatchi has bought work from.
- Spring Hurlbut - an established photographer who shows at Georgia Scherman Projects, is still at a great price point considering recent acquisitions of her work by the AGO and a show currently on at the Musee D’Art Contemporian de Montreal.
How can I tell if the piece I am purchasing will be a good investment?
It can be hard to tell if a piece of art will be a good investment, especially with young artists. Generally speaking, if it’s from a reputable gallery then that's a good start. The more work, shows, publications, and reviews an artist has is also a good indication but not really applicable with younger artists. Who has bought the work (a museum for example), and whether the price of the work has risen, are also things to consider. If you become comfortable with a gallerist or consultant then you should trust them to know who has real potential. Beyond that, art should first and foremost be chosen because the buyer likes it and is happy having it on display for years to come.
Can you tell us the basics of hanging a piece of art properly?
Hanging a piece of art properly can take hours or a few minutes depending on the person and the piece. As a rule of thumb, most pieces look good 56 inches from the floor to the centre of the image. It’s a comfortable eye line and suits most walls. Obviously every home is different and what works in one might not work in another. The number of pieces on a wall or in a room is really up to the owner and their collection. In terms of physically hanging the piece I’ve found it is better to use hooks or ‘D’ rings than wire as they hold the piece to the wall in a more stable fashion.
Cleophee Eaton is an art consultant as well as a member of the YPC, or Young Patrons Circle, as well as a board member on the Institute of Contemporary Culture, both part of the ROM. She interned for Sotheby’s France before graduating from Trinity College Dublin. Cleophee also co-curated the space of Dyan Marie Projects before working at Georgia Scherman Projects.
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