Alternative Investments: Don’t Overlook The Potential Of Up-And-Coming Artists
Marelize van Zyl – CEO of Asses Art
In some ways, art has become an increasingly attractive alternative investment as part of a diversified portfolio. One of its biggest advantages is that at least it tends to have its value and will add value over time. At the same time, buyers can enjoy their acquisition.
The global art market is worth $552 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $585.98 billion in 2025 and $944.59 billion by 2033, mainly due to increased art sales, especially among high net worth Worth individuals. With the increase in the number of high net worth individuals worldwide, there is an increasing demand for art, as a viable asset class, whose portfolios are along with traditional assets such as stocks, bonds and real estate.
However, acquisitions of artworks are not limited to high net worth individuals and aspiring art collectors who can get more affordable works from emerging and emerging artists. When purchasing on reasonable advice, investment in art can reap great returns.
The most common mistakes Art collectors don’t know the important components that affect the value of artwork, source and obtain expert advice. Naturally, the most important factors are the status of the artist and its biographies, as well as the meaning of the works in the artist’s repertoire and the social environment created. Before obtaining artwork, it is necessary to study the artists, their background, creative output, representation of their works, and how they receive the artists – positioned by the public, the art world and the entire art market.
Here, experts who understand the art market and current trends can differ between obtaining works that are highly appreciated by value.
For example, in 2012, I sold an amazing still life called I’ve always loved you The author is the R45 000 of artist Georgina Gratrix. The work comes from her first solo exhibition at CAPE, a career-defining moment for the young and emerging artist. By 2018, Gratrix’s career thrived. She participated in prestigious museum exhibitions, prestigious residences and European exhibitions. In addition to another major solo exhibition in Cape Town, a seminal book about her work was published, and her paintings have become a highly sought after and widely recognized work. I encourage owners to put the work on Aspire Art Ahauction for sale at R591 000, giving the seller a 1,211% return on investment and creating a new auction record for the artist.
Gratrix is far from the only local artist, and in recent years his work has produced a significant appreciation for value. In 2018, a piece of art by Lisa Brice (now resides in London) was sold at auction for R3.9 000. In 2023, the same piece will be sold on Aspire Art Auction for R1.2 million. Another Lisa Brice Adult Performancesold Rs 300,000 in 2019, but received R364,000 in auction just one year later.
Self-taught artist Cinga Samson joined Isibane Creative Arts in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, and he started painting, another rising star who has a very appreciative work. His breakthrough year was in 2021, with a solo exhibition at New York’s prestigious Perrotin Gallery, signed by the contemporary gallery, White Cube, and held at the Flag Art Foundation in New York, cementing his international reputation. Now, his work has reached £321,300 at auction. A very early, formative work number It was originally purchased at an exhibition in 2010 for R1 700 and then sold in 2023 for an auction of R240 000.
One of my priorities at Aspire Art is to promote the value of female artists’ work, especially those who have been historically neglected. In 2024, we put on a charming landscape drought Gladys Mgudlandlu (1917-1979) was auctioned, estimated at R50 000 – R70 000. This piece continues to be sold at R152 425. The owner recalls having barely purchased the job in the early 1990s.
Specialized research 20Th– Chinese, modern and modern art, Aspire Art Curates live and online auctions as well as exhibitions and private sales programs, as well as art valuation and consulting services to help clients navigate the art market and build meaningful collections.
Every piece we are going to auction is carefully selected. We conduct detailed research on each artist and the artwork we have for auction and strive to emphasize the historical and cultural significance of each work. It is crucial that we will never auction items for auctions and we are not going to sell them later.
Online art auctions are an effective way to embark on the art collection journey, providing new collectors with a good introduction to art, whether they choose to buy specific artworks or just take advantage of the opportunity to identify what resonates aesthetically with them. To make art more accessible to more buyers, Aspire Art recently launched a buy-in, payment later model that allows buyers to pay off artworks at three months of free interest.
In my nearly two decades of experience working on the primary and secondary art markets, I learned that the key to assisting clients in building art is understanding their long-term ambitions. Obtaining Irma stern painting is undoubtedly a reliable way to retain value and hedge your investment. However, such a high-end purchase can take a long time to greatly appreciate the value. Currently, Stern’s paintings sell for an average of about R5 million, and is currently the most valuable South African artist, with the highest price tag in London in 2011.
On the other hand, it will become more affordable to obtain art from emerging talents, but there is indeed a certain degree of uncertainty to the extent that values will be appreciated over time. When it comes to collecting arts, recognizing emerging talent and healthy luck requires experience and insight, which is why expert advice is always a good idea.
Art collection is essentially about patience: Art collections are not built overnight and do not always appreciate value very quickly. Instead, consider it as a passion project, and if you buy it carefully, it has the potential to become a profitable investment.
Now is the buyer’s market, which means there’s never been a better time to start collecting art. This environment can be carefully selected, strategic acquisitions and a strong foundation for future appreciation when market conditions shift.
More information about Aspire Art Auction: https://www.aspireart.net/upcoming-auctions
