Ensuring your collection's longevity
Dealers and makers can tailor advice specific to maintaining the physical integrity of the work (and ultimately its value), so be sure to consult with them. ‘Generally, it’s the environment that will affect work, so temperature, sunlight, and damp situations should all be monitored,' says gallerist Sarah Myerscough. ‘Dust can be an issue, so glass display cabinets can be a beautiful solution. It’s also a case of the attitude of a collector and the respect they have for the work.’
Different mediums have different needs, and you may have to pay particular attention to works made from organic materials. ‘Wood is susceptible to humidity levels, however this isn’t a real problem in the UK. It’s an organic living materials and some material changes are healthy over its lifetime,’ adds Myerscough. ‘High temperature and direct sunlight should be avoided. No polishes should be used and just a light dust.’ It ultimately comes down to the work itself: textile artist Alicia Rowbotham, who creates sculptural works from silk waste, recommends using a fine-tooth comb to untangle and tidy threads on her wall-hung works.
Once an artwork is in your care, it becomes your responsibility – comprehensive insurance is essential if you don’t want to be left footing a surprise bill, though mishaps are more common than you might think. Some works (such as editions) can be reproduced at your expense if damaged, though this will depend on how accommodating the gallery and the artist are. In such cases, they may require that the original artwork be completely destroyed so that duplicates aren’t circulating. (Artsy has a helpful guide for new collectors on the least exciting – but most important – parts of owning art.)