How To Buy Art

Finding art you love can be a rewarding experience, and you’ll likely collect new ideas and friends along the way

- Camilla Wagstaff

Big public galleries may be the window into contemporary art, but commercial galleries are the door. In theory, a commercial gallery acts as a sort of agent between buyers and the group (or stable) of artists it represents. But in reality, it does much more.

Art dealers, or gallerists, attend grad shows, studios, prizes and exhibitions to find the best and brightest talents. Their decades of experience and keen eyes take the hard work out of finding amazing artists producing exciting work. Commercial galleries become champions for their stable. They introduce their artists to important curators and new markets, helping to establish their careers while giving them the time to do what they do best.

Galleries also take the risk out of art buying and make it more fun. “Going to commercial galleries allows you to build a relationship with someone who is generally interested in art and will offer important guidance,” says Joanna Strumpf, of Sullivan+Strumpf, which has galleries in Sydney and Singapore. Toby Meagher, director at Michael Reid Sydney and Berlin, agrees. “A good gallery should be able to steer you toward an artwork of quality, from a respected artist, in good condition, that’s well-framed and guaranteed to arrive at your house in one piece.”

Perhaps most importantly, when you buy art through a commercial gallery you become “a custodian of a culturally valuable object”, says gallerist Amanda Rowell of The Commercial in Sydney. “You’re participating in and contributing to the culture of your time.”