Page 35 - SHARP November 2021

ART
HOW:
Visit local galleries in your city. Get to know the people who work there and ask questions about the work. What subject matter is the artist interested in exploring? How long have they been showing with the gallery? Do they have anything projects upcoming? Do your research on the gallery’s roster and read artist’s statements, essays, and reviews.
Don’t be shy to ask for prices. It may be higher than you budgeted, in which case you can inquire about works on paper or editions. A simple “thank you” upon learning how much something costs is an acceptable answer — you don’t have to buy anything on the spot.
Keep in mind things often move fast in the art world. I know a work of art is for me when I wake up in the morning worried that someone else has scooped up the piece I have my heart set on.
WHAT:
One key to a good collection is va- riety. I love adding photography and sculptures to accent the surplus of paintings I have. A strong collection is also culturally diverse, one that high- lights a range of perspectives. Think: an eclectic group show that showcas- es your taste, not a solo booth.
WHO:
JEAN-MICHAEL SEMINARO, INSTALLATION VIEW OF ALTHOUGH THE WIND... SOLO EXHIBITION OF DARBY MILBRATH. SEPTEMBER 2020
WHERE:
Auctions, charity print sales, and student exhibitions at art schools are all great places to jump-start your collection. If you’re looking for guidance from a gal- lery to help in your forthcoming curatorial pursuits, I recommend Stephen Bulger Gallery in Toronto for photography (as well as the online art market FFOTO); Norberg Hall in Calgary, which shows a high calibre of artists ranging from emerging to es- tablished; Projet Pangée in Montreal for art star painters and international talent; and Afternoon Projects in Vancouver, which has a young-under- ground grit to it that makes for some of the best art.
KEIRAN BRENNAN HINTON, “APRIL 11 (FOR TD)” (PERSONAL COLLECTION)
DARCIE BERNHARDT, “BINGO SLIPPERS,” (PERSONAL COLLECTION)
AZADEH ELMIZADEH, “VOYAGER,” AT FRANZ KAKA (PERSONAL COLLECTION)
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NOVEMBER 2021 • GUIDE 35
Instagram is a great place for finding new artists (I think the Instagram account I run, Canadian Art Forecast, is a great resource for this). I have a soft spot for figurative paintings and abstractions that are sleek and cheeky. Right now I have my eye on work by Darby Milbrath, Lorna Bauer, Azadeh El- mizadeh, Veronika Pauso- va, Loraine Stephanson, and Devon Pryce.