FREDERIC: Art Advisors Help Clients (and Designers) Build Lasting Collections

Art AdvisoryPress

Feb 3

Audra recently participated in a conversation with fellow art advisors Emily McElwreath, Chandos Dodson Epley, and Nancy Gamboa, hosted by Martha Moskowitz of Frederic Magazine about art advising and how clients and interior designers benefit from working with one.

Below are excerpts from the discussion and a link to the article.

An oft-overlooked actor in creating some of the most substantial art collections, art advisors are key to developing rounded, cohesive direction for those who don’t have the time to dedicate their entire lives to researching, relationship building, and following the tail of the art world. Collecting can be daunting and prohibitive for newcomers—that’s where an art advisor comes in. Just as interior designers have a finger on the pulse of the design world, art advisors dedicate their careers to understanding the nuances of what separates good from great art and how to lead clients to pieces they will connect with.

To learn more about how they demystify the art world to help their clients build sustainable (and, of course, financially beneficial) collections, we sat down with four top female advisors who are bringing their profession to the fore and demystifying the art world.

Art/artefact-designed sitting room featuring a Donald Judd etching and a painting by Hans LarSson.

What should people consider in terms of collection longevity when acquiring contemporary art?

My priority is always to understand the artist’s relationship to being an artist. I want to feel confident that they need to make art as a part of their individual identity and are deeply committed to their craft. Being an artist is a hard career choice; if they could be satisfied doing something else, that is a signal to me that they probably won’t still be at it later in life.

How does your process differ when you collaborate with an interior designer?

Some of my best work has been achieved working together with interior designers. The most successful collaborations are built on understanding and respecting areas of expertise and an openness to creating something that really sings. When both parties come together in this spirit, the results elevate beyond the decorative—it is imbued with meaning, sophistication, and long-term value. It’s akin to how a designer works with an architect to build the house: You hire an expert to get the best results and elevate the quality of your own work.