Page 59 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • SPECIAL FEATURE

Buy what you love
The first rule: buy pieces you have
an emotional connection to.
CIAF’s Exhibitions Manager, India
Collins, says a piece bought primarily
for the pleasure of owning it is likely
to increase in value. “If you buy what
you love, it does often become good
investment down the track,” she said.
“It’s never a given that its worth is
going to accrue at a certain rate, so it’s
important the piece is an investment in
a personal sense first. But if you really
love it, trust your instincts – the love for
the work will continue to grow.”
Pormpuraaw Art & Culture Centre’s
(PACCI) Manager Paul Jakubowski also 2
believes buying work for its aesthetic
and cultural value is a good starting Consider investing in emerging artists
point. “Most of our clients purchase
our art because they enjoy it,” he said. If you’re new to the world of art investing, the best place to start is by looking at
“Our art is fun, colourful and different. emerging artists. At CIAF, works range from about $250 among new artists, up
Collectors want to know the story behind to around $20,000 for pieces by established artists like Naomi Hobson and Ken
it and connect to Pormpuraaw culture, Thaiday. “CIAF is really accessible, there’s something for everyone,” Ms Collins
and also support our community. told Tropic. “The work at lower price points is still incredible work. It’s affordable
“While investors are always looking for and still just as beautiful, no less so than other pieces of work from established
the next new thing, the work must also artists. Then as these artists produce more, the value of their work will increase,
be genuine and connect to a person’s both new and existing.” Pormpuraaw sculptures, which can be bought on
heart and mind.” PACCI’s online store as well as at CIAF, also range from a few hundred dollars to
about $18,000. “We are best known for our sculptures made from
ghost nets washed up on our beaches and recycled materials,”
1. “My Rainbow Parrots”, 2021, Meredith Arkwookerum, Mr Jakubowski said. “We were there at the beginning of this movement a
Pormpuraaw Art & Culture Centre. Photo by Michael Marzik.
Courtesy of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. decade ago and still recognised for our creativity and productivity in this genre
2. “Karrangkal – Coral Reef”, 2021, Betty Sykes, Bana Yirriji today. Some collectors have now bought multiple pieces of this kind over the
Art Centre. Photograph by Michael Marzik. Courtesy of
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair years and made it their own by composing works together like an
3. Mavis Benjamin and Alma Norman showcase their new aquarium display.”
wearable ghostnet designs, Pormpuraaw Art & Culture
Centre. Photo by Paul Jakubowski.
Pormpuraaw goes online

Creative industries all over the On it, you can find the community’s
globe have suffered throughout paintings, ghost net sculptures,
the pandemic. PACCI, one of the wood carvings, jewellery and
country’s most remote art centres, huge range of prints – the largest
felt the impact significantly. collection of any Australian art
“COVID changed everything for centre. While Mr Jakubowski
the art industry worldwide,” says art fairs will always be
Mr Jakubowski said. important, the online marketplace
“Many galleries closed and artists is becoming an integral part
had to fend for themselves. of the industry. “They give us
But artists are resourceful people independence by allowing us to
and use whatever technology or stay living on country and earn
resources that are available. extra income,” he said. “It’s great to
Our art centre is no different.” make works available to everyone
PACCI now operates an online and easy to buy directly from us,
store complete with artist which many people prefer.”
biographies and detailed
descriptions of each work.
3

59 • tropicnow.com.au