contemporary monkey

I’m reading a book called “Collecting Contemporary” at the moment, and it’s a rich source of the goings-on in the art industry.  Interviews with (mostly) collectors and dealers reveal the professional expectations of both, along with advice for new collectors in the contemporary world.  In many respects it’s filled with one-sided justifications of the various players in the market, but I’m finding it makes for great dramatic tension just the same.

After reading a few gallerists and dealers dish out advice for new collectors, I was left wondering if these same individuals are really necessary in the calculation of art appreciation.  If a collector is wealthy enough, and has very little confidence in their own desire for art, the argument could be made that a gallery or dealer would act as a “taste agent”.  Someone at the ready to provide a big dose of confidence.  The assumption, however, assumes that galleries have inside knowledge of what successful art looks like, and who the great artists of tomorrow will be.  If you’re like me, and you talk to your friends, they all say that most contemporary art is rubbish.  Someone in the gallery world is responsible for that large percentage of needless work, so why should galleries be believed?

Anyone who wishes to pursue art, however, can be just as good at it as any gallery, regardless of their art history background, especially given the vast amounts of online resources to any old contemporary monkey  Like you and me.  I reckon the most important trait of a gallery is simply their access to physical property for showing work.  Unless you’re someone with loads of money gone wasting, want to impress your friends at a dinner party in your Chelsea manor, and you really couldn’t be bothered making the whole art selection process,then maybe you need help.  For that reason you should just hire an expensive dealer to create a good collection for you.  Otherwise, just trust your instincts and dive in.