Collecting Art 101
Image: Neha Kishore, for LMSA. Taken at the Takashi Murakami exhibition, Gagosian Gallery, New York ( 2025).
If you’ve ever stood in front of a painting or sculpture and felt a quiet pull - like the work was saying something only you could hear - you’ve already taken your first step toward collecting art.
Collecting isn’t about price tags. It’s about connection. It’s about surrounding yourself with work that reflects what you care about, what inspires you, and sometimes, what makes you pause and look closer.
Step 1: Choose What Speaks to You
There’s no checklist for “the right” first piece. It might be a print you discovered at a neighbourhood market, a small ceramic bowl from a local potter, or a photograph that captures a place you’ve never been but somehow feels familiar.
The important part is that it resonates with you - not because it’s fashionable or might increase in value, but because it feels like it belongs with you.
Step 2: Spend Time With Artists and Their Work
Art collecting is as much about people as it is about objects. Visit open studios, art walks, and exhibitions. Talk to artists about their process, their materials, and the ideas behind their work.
The more you listen, the more you’ll understand not just the piece, but the story and care that went into creating it.
Step 3: Begin Small, Begin Now
Your first piece doesn’t have to be large or expensive. Starting small allows you to enjoy the process without pressure - and to build a collection that grows with you. Every piece you collect becomes part of a larger story you’re building.
Over time, you’ll notice patterns: certain colours, mediums, or themes you return to. That’s when a collection begins to take shape, not when you’ve hit a certain number of pieces, but when you can see your own story starting to emerge through a collection of stories.
Collecting art is a way of living with stories - ones you can see, touch, and revisit every day. There’s no rush, no race. Just the joy of finding pieces that feel like they belong in your life.
