Catch Them Young

“Who is the next Husain/Sher-Gil/Raza?” is the most frequently asked question in art, claims consultant and writer ARVIND VIJAYMOHAN. He spills insider secrets to help you navigate the labyrinths of commerce and emotion to find the next generation of masters

WHO IS THE NEXT BIG THING?

Here’s full disclosure: I’m no soothsayer. And no one, to my direct knowledge, is the bearer of a crystal ball that can reveal such predictions with any certainty. But, you don’t need clairvoyance to realise that there are significant benefits and risks of collecting works by emerging artists. Here’s why…

1. The most impactful benefit of going with yet undiscovered powerhouses is that an art collection that finds its roots within the new is likely to be an absolute original. The joy of discovery of fresh talent and artworks—of being ahead of the curve—is boundless. There is no cookiecutter formulae here. This collection will be as unique as one’s thumbprint.

2. For young collectors, this is the logical starting point. The artists emerging on the horizon are of your age, speak a language that you can likely relate to and connect with, and the price barriers that surround them aren’t yet daunting. It can also serve as the richest training arena—one wherein you learn the ground rules of collecting, sharpen and hone these skills, and witness first-hand the fruit of your labour. This is your personal opus taking shape as you proceed, one artwork at a time.