How to build an art collection on a budget

Owning beautiful works of art is every art lover’s dream. With a gallery wall of paintings here and ceramic bowls standing on a bookshelf, many enthusiasts want to go home with the pieces they spend hours viewing in exhibitions.

While a piece of art costs a fortune, you can still build your collection within your budget. Start by collecting small-sized creations. Miniature paintings usually cost a little less than large ones.

Some artists agree to receive payments in instalments; you can also just go for the huge artworks. Street vendors sell good paintings at affordable prices.

Here are other ways to go about your art-collecting adventure.

ATTEND ART MARKET EVENTS

The prices of artworks are quite low at art sale shows. You can find pieces below Sh5,000 at the Books and Artisanal Market to be hosted at the Kenya Museum Society at the National Museums of Kenya on a rescheduled date yet to be disclosed. 

There will be wood-cut prints by Symon Kalweo and watercolour paintings by Kanyi Ohawa, among others. You can also make your way to Kuona Artists Collective for their art pop-up every first Saturday of the month.

MAKE YOUR OWN ART 

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Delve into your creative side by joining workshops, art classes, and sip and paint events by art galleries, The Art Club, and Nairobi Art Centre, as well as artistes like Mary Muringi. 

You can choose to buy your art supplies and create from the comfort of your house as you follow online tutorials.

COMMISSION AN ARTISTE

The best thing about this is that you bring your ideas to life with the help of an artiste. Hire an artiste whose work already speaks to you and depending on your budget, you can both agree on the kind of art you would like to see on your walls.

BUYING FROM AN ARTISTE STUDIO 

The artiste’s studio is where magic happens. Many artistes sell their works from their studios at reasonable prices. Open studio events also create opportunities for art collectors and artistes to build a rapport.

Buying directly from an artiste is pocket-friendly because it is devoid of agent fees that affect the pricing of artworks.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH ARTISTES 

Cultivate relationships with artistes by attending their events, visiting their studios, and being part of their career journeys in some capacity. Keeping up with their social media pages is a great way to know when they have sales.

When you know an artiste personally and show genuine interest in their work, you may land yourself a discount or an artsy gift.

You can also trade goods or services with your artiste acquaintance. 

BUY FROM EMERGING ARTISTES 

Early-career artistes price their quality art inexpensively. And as their craft continues to grow, so do the prices of their works. 

AFFORDABLE ART SHOW

Taking place every May and October, you can visit the National Museums of Kenya for the Affordable Art Show hosted by the Kenya Museum Society.

Spoilt for choice with more than 400 pieces on display, you will certainly be introduced to new artistes and different artistic styles, including landscape and wildlife paintings, abstract works, mixed media, and so on. As you get to see what kind of art you are drawn to, you can own your first piece within your budget.

LIMITED EDITION PRINTS 

Every other day, artistes produce a few copies of one piece of art to make art buying easier for more people. Limited edition prints are personalised with the artiste’s signature or commentary, and they are never reproduced again for commercial use.