Start With The Art

When designing for our clients, art is a big consideration. Whether we consider a client’s existing artwork as a starting point or we support them in sourcing pieces, art adds soul to a home. Partnering with leading galleries allows us to provide expert advice and access to a wide range of artists.

Laura Ferguson is Gallery Manager at Tsivrikos Shake gallery, working with both established and emerging artist.

Art is a very personal thing, how does an art consultant work with clients to source the right pieces for them and their home?

Laura: I see the role of an art consultant as similar to that of a designer in the sense that the first step is to listen to and identify what it is the client is looking for. Sometimes that is very broad, other times very specific.

I would say the first things to establish are the client’s budget and what their tastes are, whether they are looking for something colourful and abstract or white and minimal, a sculpture or a painting. Thirdly, if they have a particular space in mind for the artwork.

If possible, I like to see photos of the space as this helps me think about dimensions when I am sourcing work. Then it is a case of matchmaking, the right client with the right piece of art.

The benefits of working with an art consultant is that they often have direct links with the artist or different galleries which ensures you are finding pieces of the highest quality and at the best price

What range of client budgets do you work with?

Laura: I work with clients with budgets ranging from £5,000 - £70,000.

Value can mean different things to different people but one of the most common objectives for our clients is to balance buying pieces that they love that will also provide an investment opportunity, what is your advise on how to best to achieve this?

Laura: I would always advise clients to follow their instinct on a piece that they love. However, that said, before making any purchase it’s wise to do some research on the artist to understand if the asking price of the work in question is reasonable. How old is the artist and what stage of their career are they in? What exhibitions have they had to date? Are they in any important museum or private collections? What prices has their work fetched at auction? These are the questions I would encourage collectors to ask before any purchase. If it is a young artist and you can see a steady trajectory in terms of an increase in prices and a growing number of exhibitions and critical attention, then it is also a good investment.

What are your recommendations for clients wanting to explore and discover new artists?

Laura: Instagram is a great research tool for discovering up and coming artists but so is visiting art school graduation shows and art fairs as well as exhibition openings. Group shows and art fairs are a great way to sample lots of different work by many artists quickly.

Are there any trends in the art world that are influencing collectors?

Laura: The art world is similar to the fashion world and there are always some trends that influence the market. Currently, I’m noticing a big painting revival (not that painting ever went away), in particular a new blend of abstract expressionism. Bold colours and very gestural canvases. I’m seeing more interest in younger painters. It’s no longer a barrier to be an “emerging” artist.

I'm also seeing more colourful, even psychedelic, hyper-surreal, works with an escapist flavour. I think the dark economic and political climate at the moment is catapulting art further towards fantasy and the new exhibitions at galleries like Almine Reich, David Zwirner & Stephen Friedman are catering to this demand. I also think that figurative painting is making a comeback right now, after many years of abstract painting being the only form of painting deemed worthy of investment.

You can contact Laura at laura@tsivrikosshake.com