Why invest in art?
Art is a long established form of investment, offering a potential for high returns and portfolio diversification. Unlike stocks or bonds, art has the ability to maintain its value even when the financial market is in turmoil. This has led to it being termed as "currency neutral", meaning its resell value, even when the economy is performing poorly, tends to remain high. In fact in 2020, a report from Citi showed that in the first 7 months of 2020, art outperformed 10 major asset classes, including hedge funds and real estate.
Passion investment
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life"
-Pablo Picasso
At Studio 74 we believe that art is an emotional purchase and a passion investment. Additionally, collectors can support artists and cultural institutions through their investments, promoting arts education and preserving cultural heritage.
Investing in art is an investment into your cultural legacy- gaining endless joy from timeless works of art that can be handed down for generations. Each piece we acquire becomes more than just an object; it becomes a mirror reflecting our innermost thoughts, aspirations, and values. Whether adorning the walls of our homes or gracing the halls of our workplaces, art imbues our spaces with a sense of identity and purpose, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary.
Investing in art you are passionate about also allows you to participate in ongoing cultural conversations whilst providing unique and diverse investment opportunities. In a world that often measures success in terms of material wealth and tangible assets, the true value of art lies not in its price tag, but in the intangible riches it bestows upon our lives. It is a reminder that wealth, in its purest form, is not found in the accumulation of possessions, but in the experiences, emotions, and connections that give meaning to our existence.
In the end, buying art is not just a financial transaction; it is a journey of exploration, discovery, and self-expression. It is an investment in beauty, creativity, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
Basquiat and Stony
Basquiat's work has experienced 15% growth in the past 5 years, and £4,099,152 sales value in the last 12 months.
The immense investment potential of Basquiat is exemplified by the fact that May 8, 1984, collectors Jerry & Emily Spiegel purchased Basquiat's 'Untitled' (1982) at Christie's for $19,000 (USD). In May 2017, Sotheby's sold for $110.5 million (USD) (£85.6 million GBP) despite the opening bid standing at $57 million (USD).
Basquiat's print market distinguishes itself through scarcity- which has parallels to the final collections of Stony we are exhibiting at the gallery until the end of March. Due to Antonio Russo's passing in 2022, no new Stony works can be produced and a limited quantity are available to still purchase. Last year three 'Stony' limited prints were valued at £10,000, but sold for over 100% estimated value at auction. As his works become more scarce, this investment potential is likely to continue.
"If you wanna talk about influence, man, then you've got to realise that influence is not influence. It's simply someone's idea going through my new mind'- Jean-Michel Basquiat
There is beautiful synergy between the works of Basquiat and Stony. Basquiat's love of art stemmed from visiting museums in New York with his mother, and from when he was given a copy of Grey's Anatomy to occupy himself with when he was hospitalised at age 7 after being hit by a car. These illustrations and mechanical annotations were a consistent theme throughout his work. This was combined with exploring his Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage, with his work shaped by black cultural icons and jazz musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie. The crown featured in his works is often interpreted as a celebration of black sainthood and power.
Oscar, And Everything I Am, Stony, Original, 64" x 64" Inches.
Symbolism is heavily prevalent in Stony's works, along with anatomical illustrations. From afar, the scrawling typography often emblazoning Baquiat and Stony's works are similar, but upon closer examination Basquiat's serve more as annotations to the art whilst Stony's operate exclusively as his diaries on a canvas. Stony's artworks are his constant stream of conscious, as he navigated living with autism, dyslexia and latterly a rare brain tumour.
Art investment strategies
Buy and hold: 'Buy and Hold' entails purchasing and holding onto valuable artworks for an extended period of time whilst value appreciates, and any potential increases in demand for the artist's work can come into fruition. This can be most beneficial when identifying and investing in emerging artists, such as Steven A. Cohen investing in Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jeff Koons before their careers took off. In 2021, Jean-Michel Basquiat's 'In This Case' sold for $93.1 million at Christie's- making it one of the most expensive artworks ever sold and showcasing the lucrative benefits to investing in artworks at the right time.
Art Funds: Art funds allow investors to pool their resources with other investors to acquire high-value pieces.
As more buyers enter the market, demand for blue chip artworks increases accordingly, driving up market prices.
There are many different ways and strategies to investing in art, but at Studio 74 passion is at the heart of everything we do. Feel free to approach our team to learn more about current opportunities for investing in art, or for advice about building your portfolio.