Click here for our art gallery.Art adds colour and dimension to a
room and is a good way to add a
cosy, 'lived in' feeling to your living
space. According to Pam Heller-Stern,
co-owner of Artistic Innovations art gallery
in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, rooms with
bare walls have a distinctive echo and wall
art helps to absorb this 'empty' sound.
The art you choose should never be
selected purely to suit your décor – personal
taste is also important and going in search
of an artwork that suits your home doesn't
mean you have to find an exact match.
Rather make sure that the piece you
choose picks up on a few colours in your
décor scheme, thus creating a subtle link
– this can be achieved by choosing a frame
that connects the piece to what you already
have.
Feng Shui practitioners teach that every
piece of art in the home has an emotional
effect on the occupants. Paintings depicting
calm scenes evoke softer emotions and
are perfect for restful spaces such as the
bedroom. Those with warmer colours and
vibrant patterns are more suited to spaces
where energy flows faster, such as in a bar
area or family room.
Is art an investment?
Original art is regarded as a good
investment but never in the short term. A
piece, however, will continue to increase
in value over time. Make sure that you like
what you are buying – the pleasure you get
from purchasing a piece should be in what
you feel when you look at it, rather than in
how much money you can make from it in
the future.
Consider that oil paintings always fetch a
higher price and are considered the most
valuable medium. Unlike photographs, oils
can last for hundreds of years and can be
passed down through generations. Acrylics
are also considered a very sophisticated
medium, says Pam.
'Although they are
water-based they are still regarded as oil
and fall within the top category.'
There is a distinct difference between
the value of a piece by an artist who is still
alive as opposed to a piece by a deceased
artist. For example, before his death in
2005, an original Gregoire Boonzaier oil
on board (300 x 400mm) was worth about
R45 000. Today the same painting is worth
approximately R90 000.
Guidelines for selecting art
Art enthusiasts agree that buying art
purely for the sake of investment isn't
sensible. You need to like what you are
buying as you need to take responsibility
for the care and preservation of the piece.
When selecting art for your home,
consider sculptures, ceramics, glassware
or metalwork. If you're keen on purchasing
a wood carving, pay attention to style,
form and detail. The theme should also
be unique.
When buying a photograph, the print
should be signed and preferably be part
of a limited edition numbered series. If you are looking at etchings,
look for the indentation lines created by
the plate as the paper passes through
the machine – they should be visible
running along two sides of the paper.
Etchings should always be signed and
should be part of a limited series, which
usually consists of about 300 copies.
Broadening your knowledge will
help you to make better choices:
there's no point buying an oil painting
if you don't really like oils – perhaps
you prefer pastels or pencil drawings.
Content is also important. Do you
enjoy abstract or modern art? Do you
prefer landscapes or wildlife? Browse
through a few local online galleries
such as www.africaartgallery.co.za,
www.michaelstevenson.com or
www.artorchard.co.za and international
galleries such as www.gallerytoday.com.
Art museums are also great places to
pick up a wealth of information and learn
about trends. Once you have your ideas
firmly in place, you can visit a reputable
gallery and start the process of finding
your dream piece.
'Seek good advice
from knowledgeable people before you
make a purchase,' says Shaun Maloney, a
practising artist and owner of the Art Café
Gallery in Milnerton, Cape Town. 'Everyone
has to start somewhere so it makes sense
to buy the best you can afford.'
Original
art doesn't have to be exorbitant, so buy
the original wherever possible. Here are a
few questions to ask the gallery owner:
Is this artist established in the market?
How old is the artist?
May I see early works by this artist?
What do you like about this artist's work?
Height and shape, reflections and proportions
Size does count – a large painting
can overwhelm a small space and
make the room appear even smaller
while a small picture placed above
a large sofa will be lost in the
surrounding area. Don't let your
art float up into space: a good rule
of thumb states that art should be
hung about 30cm higher than a
piece of furniture. Don't be afraid
to mix and match more striking
pieces with plainer ones. If you are
grouping, use the heavy works, such
as those with dark colours or large
embossed frames, in the centre and
work outwards with plainer pieces.
In passageways and entrance halls
art should be placed at the eye level
of a standing person of average
height, while in the living and
dining areas this level will be lower
as most people will view the piece
when seated.
Lighting
Spotlights, downlights or track lighting
are the best options but the focus
should remain on the artwork and not
on the light fitting. For paintings under
glass, choose non-reflective glass to
prevent glare problems, especially at
night. The type of light source you
choose will have an effect on the piece.
Incandescent bulbs produce a warm
light that often brings out the warmer
colours in a painting and flattens out
the cooler shades. Halogen lights cast
white light and are ideal for lighting
art, but they also generate heat and
shouldn't be placed too close to the
piece. Fluorescent lights are unsuitable
for art as they distort colour.
Choosing a frame
Framing can be expensive but it
makes sense to choose the best
you can afford. Always choose a
reputable one. Angus Adonis of
Roxanno's in Stellenbosch suggests
asking the gallery where you have
purchased the artwork for a referral.
Many galleries will handle the
framing themselves and you may be
offered a discount.
Ideally, you should supply the
framer with as much information
about the room as possible. A
general guideline for framing is
that paintings containing a majority
of warm tones such as browns,
yellows and reds, look better in
warm-toned frames such as gold or
bronze. Cooler-toned pictures with
predominantly ice blues, greens
and whites look better in frames the
colour of platinum, pewter or silver.
Unframed oils have become more
popular in recent years. Artists are
painting on the sides of the canvas
to create a minimalist look. These
are perfect for modern rooms but
can also be incorporated into a
traditional setting.
Hardwood frames remain popular
but the new synthetic frames
are gaining in popularity and
are available in various colours
and finishes.
Metal frames are the most expensive
option, says Angus, but also offer
greater freedom of choice.
Synthetic frames aren't as pricy
as hardwood frames but if you
are keen on wood and need to
cut costs, a pine frame is the
cheaper option.
Glass is essential for any artwork
on paper, such as pencil drawings
or pastels. Prints or etchings
should also be framed under glass.
Traditionally, oil paintings were not
framed under glass but collectors'
galleries are now doing this in order
to protect them. If you decide to
include a border on an oil painting,
use glass. It should never press
against the painting and you'll be
asked to select a suitable mount.
Hanging works of art
To display art successfully, you'll
have to consider the size of the room
and other objects in the surrounding
space. Finding the right spot for your
masterpiece can be a challenge. A
floral painting won't create an impact
when hung over a floral sofa.
Louder,
bolder pieces are more suitable for
high traffic areas, while personal,
more intimate pieces are best suited
to quieter spaces. Avoid a monotonous
look by keeping the art of the same
variety and proportion in one room.
Break this monotony by varying the
type of artwork you display.
If you're grouping similar artworks
together, don't hang the pictures too
far from each other. Rather unite the
group by placing them closer together
and creating a uniform balance.
Grouping different pieces of art can
be a challenge and it's easier if you
group odd shapes or sizes in uneven
numbers and more symmetrical pieces
in even numbers.
The focal point should be the first
thing you see when you enter a room.
Fireplaces make great focal points
and a piece of art hung just above
the mantel can finish off the look.
Attract attention to the arrangement
by keeping the surrounding walls plain
and accessories simple. Be sensible;
don't hang art in direct sunlight or in
damp areas.
Ideas for affordable art
Small galleries: Smaller galleries have lower
overheads and you should be able to buy a piece
at an affordable price.
Art colleges: Art colleges have shows during
which students display and sell their work.
Final-year students often have excellent work at
reasonable prices. You can also commission a
student to paint for you.
Auctions: You will need to have sound art
knowledge to purchase art for investment
purposes at auctions. An alternative is simply to
keep your eye open for something you like – you
may well be the only bidder and get the painting
at a reasonable price.
Art fairs: Watch your local newspaper for
upcoming art fairs in your area. You may be able
to pick up an original artwork for under R2 000.
Caring for art
Fine art, prints and photographs: Avoid storing these in direct sunlight as this
will cause fading. Never touch a charcoal drawing as it is powdery and may
smudge. Do not hang a print over a heat source and if you have unframed
prints never store them on top of one another without a guard sheet – special
solander boxes are also available for safe storage of prints. Any work on paper,
including etchings, should be picked up using the thumb and forefi nger at
opposite corners to prevent buckling. Watch humidity levels, as high humidity
will encourage the growth of mould and cause discolouration.
Textiles:
Store rugs, wall hangings and other textiles away from direct sunlight.
Prolonged exposure to light will fade colour and weaken fibres. Silks, animal
fabrics and wool are susceptible to attack by insects. Clean and fumigate the
storage area regularly but first remove the textiles. Never fold textiles, as this will
also weaken the fibres.
Three-dimensional works: As obvious as it sounds, don't place valuable
sculptures, glassware, ceramics or pottery on small tables or narrow shelves
where they can be knocked over. A display cabinet is always the safest place for
these works.
Click here for our art gallery.
