Where to start your collection

Start on the primary market. The primary market gives you access to artists at the beginning of their careers at prices that reflect their current rather than their potential position. Gallery relationships built now, when you are buying modestly, are the relationships that give you access to significant work later. Attend auction previews before you bid

The previews are free. You will see a large amount of work, good and mediocre, and your eye will develop faster than it would from any other activity. Entry-level collecting in the secondary market for emerging artists whose primary market work you cannot access is a reasonable strategy. Understand that the secondary market premium over primary prices can be significant even for artists without established auction records.

CollectorGrade take

Gallery relationships are capital. Build them honestly, buy modestly from galleries whose artists you believe in, and show that you are a serious buyer who cares about the work. The relationships that result are worth considerably more than any individual transaction.