Many people tend to shy away from giving art as a present, as it is so unique and subjective, without realizing what a rewarding experience it can be for both giver and receiver. Buying art is undoubtedly a challenge, accounting for idiosyncrasies in taste being one of many factors to be taken into consideration. Additionally, it is a highly visible present - how many people really want a brightly coloured abstracted nude of Churchill hanging above their mantle? Probably not many. But for those seeking to expand their gift-giving repertoire beyond fuzzy knit socks and candles, a piece of art is a fantastic and highly accessible option. So how does one pick the right piece? Here are a few things to consider:
- How well do you know the person? It may sound quite obvious, but it helps to know more than the recipient’s name, occupation, and/or what they eat for lunch. Even if you think you know them better than their own mother, it is important to narrow down exactly what kind of art they might enjoy. Their taste in art may be different than one might think, and it will take some careful observation to ascertain the nuances of their artistic palate. If you’re not sure where to begin, our site offers trend collections, collectors inspiration, interior guides, and a myriad of gift pages to kick start your search.
- Do they have any favorite artists? If you know them well enough to know an artist whose work they pine over, you’re in luck. Browse through a collection, and if you can’t seem to find just the right fit, artists are often more than happy to collaborate on a personalized commission.
- Where/into what space will the piece go? It will help if you have been to their home or office, and can picture a potential space in which they might display the artwork. Will it complement the decor, or will it act as an accent or focal point? If you haven’t had the opportunity to survey the location, consider asking someone who is more familiar with the space, perhaps who lives or works with them.
- How much are you willing to spend? Though art can be an expensive investment, it doesn’t have to blow the bank. No matter what budget you determine, there will be something that suits your needs. Our website makes it easy to stay within your parameters. You can shop pages by price, enter your own specific numbers into the search tool, or contact us for help sourcing the perfect piece.
“Be observant – a person’s personal style or interests are a good starting point for buying any gift. Someone who likes to wear bright colours and flamboyant jewellery is likely to enjoy artworks of a similar kind. You may have overheard them mention that they like a particular type of motif or subject, or you happen to know their favourite film or musician. All of these little observations can help you when looking for the perfect art gift.”
"When thinking about the ‘gift of art’ a good place to start is shape and size. It is highly likely that you have better taste than everyone you know, so if you are going to impose your style on others, do it on a small scale, bit by bit, like a surreptitious cultural coup d’etat."
“Buying a ‘surprise’ art gift if you don’t live with the person, requires some stealth. Call round, apropos of nothing- you could say you were just on the way to the shops to finish your Christmas shopping and you stopped for a coffee and now you really need the loo, so please could you come in and use their facilities before you’ll be on your way to catch those sales?! While you’re up there, have a good old snoop around and see what is on their walls to get a good idea of their style and the type of art they like, do they like things framed, unframed, figurative, or abstract. Then you can surprise them at Christmas with the perfect art prezzie - one that won’t end up on the loo wall!”
"Buying a present for someone can sometimes be a mind boggling task in pursuit of the perfect gift, and even then you can never be certain that they'll truly like it. To avoid the awkward moment of their rehearsed reaction when opening it, why not save your time of scrambling around the shops like Gollum in search of the Ring, and order one of our e-gift cards from the comfort of your own home; you could even pop open a bottle of prosecco and make an event of e-shopping. They will be able to choose exactly what they want, a win win for everyone. They are available from £25-1,000 and the option of having a gift package sent directly to your (or their) home. What could be better?”
