Why Buy Art?

I remember purchasing my first piece of original art. It was at Montmartre, Paris- a very small oil painting of this classic Parisian streetscape with Sacre-Coeur(apologies for not including accent, don't know how to add) in the background. I bought it from the actual artist on the pavement. Unfortunately due to it being almost 20 years ago and myself of a young, naive age - I have no recollection of the artist name or background. A loss on my behalf, however I still have the painting and this piece takes me back to Paris each time I look at it.

One print I have and love is of Audrey Hepburn, a gift for my 30th birthday. This image I not only love because of the subject and the style of the sketch but also because in certain lights it is not always immediate who she is, this is often enjoyable to watch different people engage with this image. As well as the connection I had with the friends that gave it to me, that they should think to give such a piece as a gift to me.

Purchasing art has changed for me to the most recent piece my husband and I bought before the birth of our son, when we had a double income. It is a textile work called 'Rhythm' by Western Australian artist, Lorna Murray, also a very dear friend. This piece I love for the craftsmanship of the many hours of work, its aesthetic appeal and this I saw from creation on Lorna's lounge room floor to the final piece at her exhibition in 2006. It was quite different to the rest of Lorna's work in the exhibition and the one that stood out for me.

Therefore, for me, purchasing art is a combination of:
• the final product, its resonance with me and
• the personal connection either from the piece through the form of subject matter or the story of the artist.
• I also like to transform my home space by rotating pieces around as furniture, soft furnishings etc change according to my mood, function or season.

Decide what it is for you:
Communication? Aethetics? Decor? Nostalgia? Memories? Emotion? Occasion?

Fleur Allen is owner of website businesses Interactive Arts and not socks and jocks. She has gathered a broad range of experiences in recent years with the development of these businesses in the are of Visual Arts and Gift and card shopping in particularly online.

Fleur is an experienced Arts Administrator and marketer. She completed her Post Graduate studies in Arts & Entertainment Management at Deakin University in 2004. She has held the positions of Education and Audience Development Manager at West Australian Opera and Education Manager with Black Swan Theatre Company. Fleur is interested in exploring and creating new ideas through her own businesses.

http://www.interactivearts.com.au

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