The particular case of contemporary art
Still, in the relatively safe bets of the market, contemporary artists are attractive if their ratings have been high long enough for it to be considered stable. Daniel Arsham , Claire Tabouret, JR … although they are already selling at high prices, these very fashionable artists cost much less than the great masters. And their already well-established success promises relatively reliable value growth.
No need to stop at the most obvious names of the moment, on the contrary! A few searches are enough to find young talents who have recently been spotted by a titan gallery or a great collector. These signs are good indicators of an artist's success, and therefore an excellent reason to invest your money. Artsper, as an expert in contemporary art, also carefully analyzes the market and its developments to offer a selection of emerging talents to follow with attention.
Evaluate market trends
The third category of interesting investment is that of current trends. By learning and taking a step back from the current period, we can begin to understand how the market is evolving. For example, during China's economic growth, wealthy Chinese collectors highly valued French art, especially Impressionism. Over time, and the country's exponential growth, they then turned to their cultural roots. Today, they invest heavily in Chinese art from the imperial periods, scattered across the world, and contemporary Chinese artists.
This correlation between the economic explosion of a region and the interest in its cultural heritage has also been spotted in India, Korea, countries of the Middle East. The Korean minimalist movement Dansaekhwa, for example, has gained enormous value over the past decades - so much so that paintings by artist Lee Ufan, one of the leaders of the movement, are now worth several hundred thousand euros.
Bet on a movement
While it is impossible to know which movements will be popular in several decades, it is possible to bet on relatively predictable market movements. In the same way that Dansaekhwa is priced for its symbolism of Korean aesthetic culture, it is interesting to invest in movements that are specific to a given space-temporal identity.
For example, street art currently embodies a spirit of passive political dissent and a socio-environmental activist consciousness that is characteristic of the past decade. Of course, this current has existed for much longer and cannot be reduced to this sole purpose. But it remains the most representative movement of the current years. If artists such as Banksyand JR identify perfectly with the role of activist, street art also pleases and thrives in abstract form, as in the work of JonOne for example. Whether you want to treat yourself to the greatest or opt for more affordable names in the movement, street art is a worthwhile investment.
So, to invest or not to invest?
Whatever your budget or purchasing intentions, it is essential to remember that a work you like will always be a safe bet. Famous artist or contemporary talent, original or reproduced work, thoughtful decision or instant crush. If you like the object, the emotional investment largely justifies the acquisition.
While our tips can guide your choice, remember that investing is not easy, and all bets are good. As with a Grand Cru Classé, you can enjoy a work of art but also resell it. And unlike a Château Margaux, you don't have to choose between one or the other. It's up to you to enjoy it as much as you want and make your decision later! Le Figaro , Culture
