Urban Art Association

As above.........


If you want to put a piece of paper on your wall that will be worth something in years to come, frame some money, or you could just buy something you enjoy looking at, find something that ticks your boxes regardless of the long term investment, you'll know when you see it, as you will want to buy it and you won't care.

I don't agree with the guys totally. Having bought a lot of art I loved that depreciated a great deal in value I have learnt to reduce the risk and think there are many artists that can offer a strong chance of at least holding value.

You might love the art today but your tastes change and evolve and switching things up is cool, so the money needs to stay on the wall if possible.

1. Look at what people are buzzing about on here (there will be lots) and watch and learn.
2. Pick the art you love and search high and low for a good / fair deal
3. Set a budget and stick to it. If you cant afford it, don't get it.
4. Remember the most popular artist can become worthless! There was a time where rolf Harris commanded good money. Lol

My personal mantra is if I wont spend good money framing it I shouldn't get it.

What's your budget? That will position your options and good luck. This world is highly addictive...

You are onto a loser before you have even started judging by this post.

I'm interested to know what has happened regarding Adam Neate there, surely he was tipped for the top? Not an investor myself I just get by on trades and cheap buys direct, not got the cash for anything too mad.
Has the bottom dropped out of Neate? I still have a few street pieces and 4 marker pen drawings left but thats about it, will sell cheap if there's any interest.

I think a lot of the blame regarding Adam Neate is pointed towards ElmsLesters, although I don't really know.

Would be interested in seeing the street pieces if they are the old paintings on cardboard. Cheers

My researched words of wisdom if your looking for ONLY investment advice:

1) Don't spend a ton on Banksy, the market is inflated at the moment and is bound to go down at some point. If you love his work, buy one or two of your favorite pieces and hold on tight.

2) Buy Jeff Koons multiples on paper; these are EXTREMELY undervalued. He released less then 20 editions, most with an run of 50 or less, and the vast majority can be had for less then 10k, and some as low as 2-4k. Compare that to Hirst, who has released hundreds of editions, most priced at 10k+. Simple math dictates that the Koons print market is in for a major boost in the next ten years.

3) Skip all the second tier urban artists (ie Watson, Dolk, Ect) as they have a firm ceiling on their pricing, which is already starting to go down as the hype behind the movement slows. Buy low, and only pieces that you intend to frame/hang.

4) Buy ephemera from the top urban artists (Banksy, Retna, Kaws, ect) the print prices are high but you can still get good posters and other stuff like LPs for cheap. These will inevitable appreciate in value along with the artist's other work. The return is lower, but so is the initial investment.

5) Disregard all these recommendations, and Buy what you love, FOR UNDER $500. Anything over that amount should be spent on something worthy of investment (IMHO, but I don't buy stocks so my collection is my retirement savings).

6) Don't waste your time on reproductions, they don't satisfy and you'd end up giving them away once you have real pieces to display.

Good luck!!

Hi, as Howard Johnson said, go for what you love and want to hang and keep.
There had been a lot of hype in recent years and some valuations are making no sense. For example you can see in the most resent Sothebys online auction the "Banksy Love is in the air" with an estimate between 15,000 and 25,000 USD, and the current bid is 35,000!!!!! But in contrast a Marilyn from Warhol is estimated between 10,000 and 15,000 and the current bid is still 10,000. Also there are Picasso's as low as 2,000 and the current bid is just 550, not even the low estimate!!

I like and know Banksy is good, but he is not that good, it is just the hype.

I would say the only safe thing is to buy what you like not just because there is a chance to sell it for more in the future.

I agree, but wanted to add my 2cts...

If I were you, I would be more interested in why/when pieces of an artist increase or decrease in value (for short term or long term) and how to evaluate the price, than "who".

Also, you have to know how long you plan to keep your pieces and/or if you would want to be able to sell quickly in the short-mid term (some artists retain value, could greatly increase in value in the long term, but don't have a strong secondary market; to the opposite some could greatly increase in value, but only in the short or midterm).

If you learn the "rules" that dicate prices and fluctuations (I don't know enough to give you any rules), you can apply to the artists you pick according to your taste. If you know why you bought something, you love the piece and the artist' work, it's not a huge problem if your piece lost some value and you can learn where you were wrong (if investment was a big factor). Maybe, your taste will change, but if you buy slowly, think thoroughly, you will certainly still like the piece. To the opposite, if you buy because someone told you this artist will gain value and you simply like it (but not love it)...you might end up really losing and not even learning much....

My 2cts is if you don't have taste, don't invest in art or wait for the next big financial crisis . If you have taste, learn why you like something and the rules above, ask why, discuss but then trust yourself more than anybody.

I think you should find a mix between 'buying what you like' and being sensible about what you will spend your money on investment-wise. It's not that different from buying a house, it can look pretty but what if it collapses in 3 years?

My advice to nowcomers has always been: Try to mostly refrain from buying things purely for investment, but even more so, try to totally refrain from buying really expensive shit from galleries/people that highly overcharge you.

There will come a time where you will appreciate the stuff you didn't buy for ridiculous prices just as much as you appreciate the stuff you do have on your walls.

agreed on the sentiment to control your buying impulses for most prints/multiples in favor of saving for originals when possible. 

Don't follow flash in the pan trends, (your going to pay a premium if everyone is after the same thing)
Try to buy something from an already established artist but try your very best to pay under the current market value, do lot's and lot's of research then do a bit more, read, learn and digest what the the experienced guys and gals on here are talking about.
Avoid paying gallery prices (sorry to any galleries on here)
Try to buy direct from the artist that way you get concrete provenance and it also feel's great buying direct from the source.
I cannot emphasis enough about Provenance, it is so important and do not let anyone tell you any different.
If you are only looking at Street Artist's, then look to buy something from one of the original pioneers of the movement, so many emerging street artist's over the past few years and it is easy to get confused by it all.
Investing in art is not something everyone can do, buying art can be an expensive learning experience.
Good luck with it

Sorry. Can't tell.

Money will only depreciate. Most certainly when you put it on the wall.
But even in the bank nowadays with these interest rates.

Exactly the reason why I went into art.

But I do agree : only buy what you love.
Doesn't mean that you should buy everything that you love.

Then again if I did buy everything I liked I'd be bankrupt.

So find that happy medium...