5 Top Tips for Buying Art as a Couple

Many couples visit Affordable Art Fair intending to buy their first piece of art, find a work to freshen up their homes or grow their existing art collection. However, when it comes to choosing an artwork together, ‘great minds’ don’t necessarily ‘think alike’.

Selecting a new artwork with your partner can be a fun challenge though. Puzzling together over why we like and feel attracted to specific artworks often reveals unexpected sides to our partners and, while it’s unusual to find a couple who share exactly the same taste and motive for buying art, much joy can be found along the journey of building an art collection together.

So, how do you buy art with your partner without getting into an argument? To answer this question, we’ve gathered some top tips on how to buy art with your other half and asked our participating galleries for their expert advice.

GETTING TO KNOW THE ART WORLD AND YOUR COMMON TASTE IN ART

First thing’s first, it helps to establish what your motivations are and what kind of art you both like. Do you want to acquire art for decorative purposes, as an investment, or establish a characterful collection for the next generation to inherit one day? Have an open discussion about what interests you when it comes to art.

Visiting museums, exhibitions, galleries, fairs and online marketplaces to see lots of different art is a great way to figure out where your tastes overlap and complement each other. In doing so, you will also learn more about the various mediums, techniques and genres that exist. Educate yourself by researching the art and artists you’re interested in and, who knows, in time, you may find your growing passion for art is one of the ties that bind you as a couple.

“Art is a great way to connect as a couple. Tastes can differ but finding common ground on colours, textures or subject is a great way to find a piece you both love. It can be a lasting memory to a special time in your relationship.”

– Karlijn Bozon from Homecoming Gallery

SET A DATE (AND A BUDGET)

Plan your art adventures ahead of time so that you can look forward to them! Discovering art is an activity to savour and enjoy. Fix a date in your agenda and hold each other to it.

Another practical point to consider in advance of buying an artwork together is: ‘how much would you like to spend?’ Discussing budget will help you narrow down your choices. If you see something you love but it’s out of your budget, keep investigating. It’s always worth asking gallerists whether they have more artworks from the same artist that are not on display. Factors such as size, medium or framing option all impact an artwork’s price.

“Art is not always reserved for the elite, the most beautiful collections are those made with passion and without calculation. The value of the work we buy does not matter; we buy “for the love of beauty.”

– Lova Ruth Cohen-Sizyandji from Ruth Gallery

ASK GALLERISTS QUESTIONS

Art fairs are excellent places to connect with some of the art world’s most passionate people: the gallerists. Gallerists love to share the stories behind the artists and artworks they are presenting so whether you’re curious about the artistic process, materials, techniques or in getting some more information behind practical matters such as shipping, framing and pricing, don’t be shy to ask them questions. They’re there to guide and support you on your art purchase journey.

“Couples often have different expectations and ideas about art. For some it should be beautiful, aesthetic or innovative, for others the work of art must simply match the interior of their home. As a gallerist I can recommend you to only buy a work of art if both of you really want the work. I have often seen couples walking through the fair, making a “best-of” list of a few works, taking photos, discussing them at length and then deciding on a work together.”

– Matthias Kretschmer from BernARTgasse

IT IS OK TO DISAGREE

Collecting art together doesn’t have to be about finding common ground and enjoying our similarities. ‘Celebrating your differences’ can also be a useful mindset to adopt when including partners in the process.

While some people feel a connection towards an artwork for its visual impact, others might be moved by colour, a nostalgic subject or excited by an artist’s innovative technique. It’s ok to not choose all artworks that you buy together. If there is a work that one of you really loves, they should just go for it. Seeing differing tastes combine under one roof often results in a home full of character and don’t be surprised if your artworks pair more harmoniously than maybe you first expected!

“To sell an artwork to a couple is one of the major challenges. Couples rarely like the same artwork. I can say that if one of you buys an artwork as a present, you need to choose the artwork according to the taste of the other rather than your own. You need to stay objective. A gift card can also be an option, if you can’t decide. Or you can agree on buying an artwork together to have a bigger budget. In this case you need to look at your common interests rather than your personal preferences. At this point it might help to remember why you love each other. And don’t hesitate too much whether your partner will like it or not. Love functions at that point.”

– Dilek Basara Ozgur from The Route Gallery

PACE YOURSELF

When making your rounds at the fair, note on the fair plan or take pictures of stands and artworks you’d like to go back and revisit. There’s lots to see so make sure you take some time to have a drink or grab some food during your visit to refuel and to take the time to discuss and decide.

It can also be fun to make a round without your partner and take some pictures of works you like (or think they will like) before meeting back up together. Uncovering what your partner likes about specific artworks will enable you to appreciate it all the more.

“Buying art as a couple is a beautiful way to communicate with each other. In discussing why one likes a particular piece you learn something of your partner’s thinking and emotional response to forms, colours and composition. As a couple you can stroll over the fair, make a shortlist of art you both like, maybe have a drink, talk it over and then experience the pleasure of agreement. We have noticed that all couples who buy from us beam with joy – it is an uplifting experience indeed!”

– Kristiane Semar from Dreipiunkt Edition

We hope to welcome you at one of our upcoming fairs and wish you good luck on finding artworks for your home. And remember to be patient, take your time and listen to one another.