The Art of Buying Art: An Insider's Guide to Collecting Contemporary Art (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: digital photographic print, recommended galleries, chicken skull, New York, The Armory Show, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"The desire to surround ourselves with things that comfort, please, or excite our sensibilities is a common human trait. We're a collecting species. But we're also an aesthetic species. We respond to beauty, creativity, and originality. Put those sensibilities together and you have the makings of an art collector." --Paige West

In The Art of Buying Art, contemporary art expert and self-described art addict Paige West breaks through the misconceptions about contemporary art and inspires readers to discover the joy of collecting original works.

With its rich sampling of gorgeous, provocative full-color artworks from some of today's most talented artists, and practical advice on how to find, buy, and care for art as a collector, The Art of Buying Art reveals the contemporary art scene to be more exciting and accessible than ever. West urges readers to partake of this vibrant world of galleries, art fairs, studio visits, and auctions, offering guidance on which questions to ask, how to negotiate prices, and how best to display and maximize the value of original artwork in the home.

Whether you've already taken the plunge with your first few purchases or have yet to part with those generic art posters left over from your college days, this book is the only primer that you'll ever need to whet your appetite and boost your confidence for acquiring amazing new contemporary art that will enrich your life--without breaking the bank.

About the Author

Paige West studied the business of art at Christie's Education and NYU Arts Administration programs. She has since promoted and supported artists by curating a major private collection comprised of more than three thousand works by emerging and contemporary artists. In 1999 she started Mixed Greens, a company that sells original contemporary art both online and in its New York gallery. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Collins Design; 1 edition (May 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060794593
• ISBN-13: 978-0060794590
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 10 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,028 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #7 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Instructional & How-To > Collecting
  #14 in	Books > Home & Garden > Antiques & Collectibles > Art
  #94 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Contemporary Art

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Buying Art: An Insider's Guide to Collecting Contemporary Art, June 15, 2007

By	W. Rodts - See all my reviews

For anyone leery of investing in art, anyone interested in starting collecting, and anyone simply interested in learning more about contemporary art, Ms. West's book is essential. "Buying Art" is well written, engaging and very informative and will make you a much more knowledgeable and shrewd collector.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An informative read and a lovely gift, June 13, 2007

By	S. Murphy - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm not particularly well-versed in art history, and visit museums infrequently (there are few notable ones near my home), but have always intended to learn more about fine art, and particularly contemporary art. Either from the perspective of a novice collector or someone who wishes to educate him/herself, I highly recommend this title. The book is accessible and informative, infuses the reader with the writer's clear sense of enthusiasm for the subject, and lacks the condescending or arcane tone taken by some of its similarly-themed predecessors. If you want to familiarize yourself with the basics of the fine art trade, sharpen your tastes, and/or eventually own a small collection, I strongly recommend this title.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars De-mystifying the art world, June 13, 2007

By	DKS (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

When someone recommended this book I was skeptical, as I thought of art collecting as something beyond my means. But Paige West does a good job of demystifying the art world, with solid advice on understanding, selecting, buying and living with contemporary art. It's an easy and enjoyable read, and the book is packed with examples of works from emerging artists. Some I don't care for, but there were others whose work I'll seek out. Fortunately, the book also explains how galleries work, and how to find artists you like. This book is not a coffee table decoration - read it and use it.