How To Buy Your First Piece Of Art in India?

As the housing system in Indian metropolitan cities is becoming a norm for developer floors, flats and villas - home architectures, interior and furnishings are becoming similar. Developers use similar house layouts, common furnishing items and flooring, paints and ceiling. In such a scenario, indoor plants, artwork and original paintings prove an essential part of home décor to give the house its own individuality and a style statement. If you have bought your dream house and you want to buy your first piece of art in Delhi or in other metropolitan cities – the first question is how you, especially as a first time customer that you buy the best and original painting at the right price? Today, India’s new generation contemporary artist, Shantala Palat shares some important tips on how to buy your first piece of art in India. Shantala says that when people enter the art world for the first time, they face a situation where they may feel that everyone understands what's going in an art exhibition except them and they are not sure what to buy or if the painting they like to buy is an original artwork and is it correctly priced. Well, it's not that difficult, says Shantala. It's really about educating yourself, setting a budget and sticking to it. She says that buying a good painting is not only for your home décor but also if you buy an artwork of an emerging artist, the painting can turn into a good investment. And even better, especially if that artist becomes famous, the value of the work increases even more. So here are a few important tips on purchasing your first artwork:

1. Do your research –- Open yourself to new things and figure out what type of art you like, and the best way to do this is to see a lot of art. Visit museums and galleries, talk to other collectors and artists; try to familiarize yourself with various periods, mediums and styles. 2. Set a budget, and be prepared to spend a little more. Check the hidden costs of owning art: shipping, framing and insurance. If you buy something at an auction, there is a buyer’s premium that can be hefty. 3. Go to an auction or two before you plan on buying your first piece. Understanding the rhythm and flow of an art auction can take time and first auctions can be overwhelming. The buyer could walk away with regret if they do not properly prepare themselves. 4. Talk to other art collectors and art consultants. The art world can be overwhelming at times and talking to experts is the best way to navigate your way through your first time purchase. You can learn a thing or two about the industry. When purchasing from a gallery, there is never any harm in asking for the best price. 5. Buy what you love. Trust your intuition and be confident in your purchase. 6. For the best kind of investment, consider looking into young, emerging art. These pieces are cheaper and have a great potential for increasing in value and leading to future gains. Not all art is created equal; decorative pieces or lesser pieces with impressive names can be great, but they are often times more expensive and do not appreciate a long-term investment.

7. Keep everything -- the receipt, invoice and documentation. Don't throw anything away, as this is what is used to authenticate and value a piece.

You can contact the author and artist of the paintings - Shantala Palat at shantalap@yahoo.com , +919899605750