As a gallerist, I often hear people ask: “Will this artist go up in value?”I. t’s a fair question, but it’s the wrong place to start when thinking about collecting art.
Art is not a stock. It is not a commodity to be flipped or a number on a chart. It is the result of an artist’s years of practice, imagination, and courage. When you buy a work only because you expect it to “perform,” you miss the very reason art matters at all.
Buy Art You Love, Not Just for Profit
The most meaningful collections are built on passion, not speculation. You should buy art because you love it. Because it speaks to you. Because you can’t stop thinking about it. Because living with it enriches your daily life in a way no financial return ever could.
When you collect contemporary art from an artist you admire, you are also doing something even more important: supporting their ability to keep creating. Every purchase from a gallery is a direct act of patronage that allows artists to push their practice further, take risks, and bring more beauty, questions, and ideas into the world.
The True Value of Collecting Art
If the monetary value appreciates over time, that’s a bonus. But the true return is the connection you build; with the artwork, with the artist, and with the creative spirit itself.
That’s why the best art advisors, collectors, and galleries all agree: the heart should lead your decision. The financial upside, if it happens, will simply be a reward for your passion and intuition.
Collect with Intention
So my advice as a gallerist? Collect with your heart. Surround yourself with works you love. Support artists whose voices you want to see grow louder. That’s where the real value lies.
At Isolina Arbulu Gallery in Marbella, we believe art collecting is about creating a dialogue between you and the artwork, not just making a financial bet. Whether you’re discovering emerging artists or established names, the most important thing is that each piece you choose resonates deeply with you.
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