Page 60 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • SPECIAL FEATURE

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CAIRNS INDIGENOUS ART FAIR’S
SIX TIPS FOR BUYERS 6

1 Research 4 Network

If you’re buying art as an investment, look up artists by People come from all over Queensland, Australia and the
name to see if they have exhibited in other art fairs or been world to attend CIAF. Art is a great conversation starter –
acquired/exhibited by state and national institutions. talk about what you like and hear about other artists.
This will add value to their work.
5 Take your time
2 Set a budget CIAF has about 450 works on show and is open over four

Know what you’re willing to spend and be prepared to days. Take note of which artists sell out, and whether
spend a little extra if you fall in love with a piece slightly out their works have been bought by serious collectors or
of your price range. Consider if your chosen art will require institutions. This information is integral to understanding
framing or transport, as this can add to the overall cost. the market as an emerging collector or first-time buyer.

3 Meet the artist 6 The don’ts

You can also attend the artist talk, or chat to the art centre Photographing works you don’t own is strongly
manager or gallerist. Art fairs are a unique opportunity discouraged, and there’s no room to barter on prices,
for buyers to gain a deeper understanding of the artistic as art fairs are traditionally considered ‘wholesale’.
process, culture, knowledge, experiences and meaning Also, don’t forget to credit the artist if you share a photo of
behind each piece. your purchase online.

What about NFTs?

Non-fungible tokens
An NFT is essentially a digital asset – like art, music and videos –
which has ownership rights bought and sold online, frequently with
cryptocurrency. While these assets remain freely viewable online,
investors are still willing to spend millions on a single item to have
‘digital bragging rights’, as well as potentially resell it for a much higher
price in this rapidly growing global market.

4. Kale Bardi Villaflor and James Steven wear Pormpuraaw Art & Culture Centre + Simone Arnol designs for the CIAF Fashion
Performance: Of Spirit & Story, 2021. Photo by Blueclick Photography. Courtesy of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
5. “Mountain Range 2”, Wayne Connolly, 2021, Yarrabah Art Centre. Photo by Michael Marzik. Courtesy of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. MORE: tropicnow.com.au
6. “Vessel Kurranji (Cassowary)“, Vanessa Cannon, 2020, Ceramics (Fired), 21.5cm x 18cm. Photograph by Michael Marzik.

60 • Tropic • Issue 35