Katharine Evans: How I buy art

With fifteen years of experience spanning galleries, auction houses, and art advisories, I am deeply passionate about making art accessible to both new collectors and investors. The most frequent question I encounter is, "What art should I buy?"

It's entirely understandable - purchasing art can feel intimidating, though it need not be. From stepping into a quiet gallery, where the uninviting face behind the desk may add to the sense of unease, to navigating an art fair brimming with an overwhelming array of works, the experience can be daunting. So, where does one begin?

The motivations for acquiring art can generally be distilled into two primary categories: passion and investment.

Passion is the driving force behind my career. The reason I became an art advisor is simple: I have a deep love for art. I am captivated by the way a single piece can stir such a wide spectrum of emotions—whether it’s evoking calm, excitement, or a sense of security, or sparking introspection, joy, sadness, or even life-affirming moments. There is genuinely a sense of peace and connection I experience when stepping into a thoughtfully curated exhibition.

If I see an artwork that I love, it is very hard for me not to buy it (budget allowing), or to at least follow that artist’s journey, visiting their exhibitions and recommending their work to art collectors or friends when they are looking for new works. If I cannot afford an original I would look at their editions if they do them, or buy a book on their work. I have even been known in the early days of my art collecting to buy their art book and frame the pictures therein. 

Antonia Showering is the perfect example of this, I love her output and have followed her career for years. A canvas is outside of my budget, so I jumped at the opportunity to add her New Lives edition to my collection. 

As a side note an edition can serve as an excellent first acquisition for both new collectors and investors (though that topic merits a separate discussion altogether!).

It is never a bad decision to buy art if you love it, no matter what it is: if you are going to look at that piece of art every day and it is going to give you joy, buy the art. 

Investment, on the other hand, is a different consideration: diversifying one's portfolio to include art is a savvy and strategic choice.

The challenge with art investment lies in the overwhelming number of galleries and art consultants now offering investment opportunities to collectors. As portfolio diversification has become a commonplace term, investment has increasingly become the primary motivation for the majority of my clients when buying their first piece of art. 

Many collectors are drawn in by galleries and advisories that promise double-digit returns on their art. However, and this is not to say that art cannot be a valuable investment—indeed, it can. The often-unspoken truth is that it is not a guaranteed one. Art, by its nature, cannot offer certainty. That said, there are artists whose work is more likely to yield investment returns. A skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable art advisor can help navigate this landscape, offering insights into an artist’s market, examining their past performance, and providing a realistic understanding of the potential risks and growth associated with a particular acquisition.

Andy Warhol stands as the ideal example for first-time investors. As an iconic figure in art history, his works enjoy a robust and established market. The value of his pieces can be traced through historical auction results, providing a clear trajectory for potential investors. Additionally, Warhol’s portfolio offers a range of price points, making his work accessible. 

When purchasing art for investment, I never make a decision without conducting thorough research first. An artist’s exhibition history and upcoming activities for the year are readily available, as is their auction history. Understanding the current market value of a work is essential. For emerging artists, I turn to resources like the latest Artscapy X ArtTactic Wet Paint report to gain valuable insights into the current market trends. 

I would utilise Artscapy’s rating system which offers a comprehensive breakdown of the key elements involved in an acquisition, ensuring the collector can make their purchase with full confidence. Each artwork is ranked based on its investability, liquidity, risk, artist profile, and, perhaps most crucially, its price relative to the fair market value. It is an invaluable tool for investors. 

Art collecting is one of life’s greatest joys for me. The process of acquiring art, building a collection, and guiding others through this exciting journey is a true passion of mine. If you’re ready to begin your own collecting adventure, feel free to reach out to me at katharine@artscapy.com.