Art Collectors Series #2: Ajay Seth

Continuing on our Art Collectors series and our 7 Simple Steps to Start your Fine Art Collection, Mr. Ajay Seth, is another international art collector we want to introduce to you today. He's also added some critical comments on collecting for investments.


He said, "to reduce the risk involved in art investments, you should consider three important aspects":

1. Prominence and Authenticity of the Artwork
2. The entire chain of its ownership
3. The title of the art work.

This is a gold rule to collect fine art


Q. When did you start collecting your first piece of art? 

A. I started collecting at the age of 15. It began with collecting old and historical items, news papers etc and gradually led me towards collecting Artworks. 

Q. What is the main motivation behind your collecting?

A. I was always allured by the creativity, art entails and this is how it started. Though, over a period of time, having passed through a journey, I evolved myself as a collector and connected with the intellectual aspect of Fine Art. The art of appreciating the aesthetics of Art, its rarity and historical significance are some of the key actuations for me to acquire an artwork.  

Q. Can you please tell us more about the art you have collected so far? And how did you acquire them?

A. I have been collecting various Artworks from various Genres, including Post War Modern masters, National Treasures, contemporary art etc and of various forms including installations, assemblages, sculptors, paper works and canvasses. Some of the artists I collect are VS Gaitonde, Tyeb Mehta, SH Raza, MF Hussain, Rabindranath Tagore etc. 

I acquire them from all across including Exhibitions, auctions, galleries, collectors, etc.

Q. Can you please give us an example on how much you pay to acquire an art? And how much is the current market price?

A. I acquired a national treasure artist Rabindranath Tagore in 2007 for approximately $20,000 which is currently valued at around $300,000.

Q. Where is your favourite place to view art?

A. I like Venice Biennale very much. It's one of the craziest places to be in for art Connoisseurs. One can feel the ardor in collectors and the whole atmosphere there I an experience in itself.

Q. Where have you shown your art piece? What is your next plan for showing?

A. We are in process of creating some unique online platforms for showcasing and trading of Art, which would connect collectors with the art, artists, galleries, scholars, experts etc, as I feel online platforms are a great way of connecting people located in various parts of the world. We are also in process of launching auctions of Art and Collectibles which would showcase and offer works of rare art and artefacts.

Q. What advice would you give to new collectors who also wish to follow your path?

A. I would advise people to begin slowly and understand Art gradually through a process. Knowledge and learning is very important here, as many individuals and institutions  buy Art which has no value at a cost equal to or sometimes higher than aesthetically and commercially stronger works of Fine Art. One can begin with acquiring small works of masters at economical prices and gradually build a collection of works. It is advisable to buy works which they like and something which is aesthetically strong, rare or has historical significance which could also offer good investment opportunities, as you often can get aesthetically strong and valuable works at decent prices, which one can cherish for generations. 

Q. In your opinion, what would an artist need to do in order to be successful in the art world?

A. For an artist to be successful, he needs to have his goals predefined. One should focus more on the strength of the work and showcasing more, which is very helpful in promotions. I would suggest one to avoid churning of works in large numbers as this affects the quality. It is also important that he chooses the right gallery, which could promote his works to the requisite set of audiences with a good strategy along with partnering with the right associates. 

Thank you Mr Seth for sharing with us. Coincidently, we just posted an article about goal setting and definitely agree with Mr Seth's suggestion. Click HERE to check out our article!

-------------

Subscribe: Click to subscribe if you want to...
- learn more about what's going on in the art world
- learn how to boost your art selling
- learn how to collect great art with the highest Return On Investment
for free.

Follow us in Facebook and twitter #Belle_Fusion, This means a lot to us to continue providing great source of information to you.

Goal Setting - Dream Big

Dearest Artist, 

In a previous post I recommended the following book: How Positive Thinking Can be Your Key to Success.  Today we're going to review this book from a completely different perspective: "Goal Setting". You probably think, "I'm an artist and prefer to improvise along the way." 

However, don't forget you are also an entrepreneur  and in the business world, goal setting is extremely important.  

Why is setting goal(s) is important?

"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." - Tony Robbins

"Top-level athletes, successful business-people and achievers in all fields all set goals. Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation . It focuses your acquisition of knowledge, and helps you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the very most of your life."

Source: https://www.mindtools.com/page6.html

Basically, setting a goal will also generate a strong belief which will give you willpower to take action and acquire the necessary knowledge in order to achieve your big dreams.

One of my mentors' commented to me that there are 3 types of people:

1. People who make things happen
2. People who watch things happen
3. People who wonder what happen.

The first type of people have a strong will to take action and achieve what they believe, which is their ultimate goal(s).

There is nothing magical or mystical about the power of belief.

You believe, then you will have positive attitude with "can-do" attitude, that generates energy and skills on how to do it. 

If there is a will, there is a way.

All came from predefined goals. This is also recommended by a successful international art collector - Ajay Seth. Click here to check his interview.

There is a reason 6 million people have purchased a copy of this book, "The Magic Of Thinking Big." 

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0671646788/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=0671646788&linkCode=as2&tag=bellfusi-20

Stay Artsy and Strong!~

----------------------------------------------

Subscribe: Click to subscribe if you want to...
- learn more about what's going on in the art world
- learn how to boost your art selling
- learn how to collect great art with the highest Return On Investment
for free.

Follow us in Facebook and twitter #Belle_Fusion, This means a lot to us to continue providing great source of information to you.

Art Collectors Series #1 - Adrian Cheng

Art goes international. So do the art collectors. One of our previous posts: 7 Simple Steps to Start your Fine Art Collection mentioned Bob Rennie, a Vancouver art collector pioneer, and the founder of Real Estate company Rennie Marketing System.

Today we jump out of North America and into Asia!  I wish to introduce to you Mr. Adrian Cheng 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Cheng_Chi-Kong

Reading his bio here, he might seem to be a business only master. However, Cheng is indeed very active in many art involvements.

He founded K11 Art Malls in Hong Kong and Shanghai and other main cities in China, which claim to be the world`s first Art malls, and the K11 Art Foundation, a non profit organization whose Monet Masterpieces to be Exhibited in China was a  great success last year!

I witnessed in person the art displays in K11 Art Mall in Hong Kong last year, and I was intrigued. The ground floor of the mall was surrounded by artists' work and sculptures the foundation selected or sponsored. Plus, each piece has an inspirational story or a message to the public.

It`s amazing that Cheng has so much energy and passion for art. He was able to put on 50 shows a year attracting thousands of people each day!

Even more surprising... he says his art activities only happen after his office hours and on weekends. He surely has unlimited energy, all because he loves art so much.

To learn more about Adrian Cheng, please click here.

Adrian Cheng is probably one of the pioneers and young entrepreneurs in Asia who has a true vision for art.

Thank you Adrian for supporting our art world and cultivating people`s awareness on arts and culture,

------------------------------

Subscribe: Click to subscribe if you want to...
- learn more about what's going on in the art world
- learn how to boost your art selling
- learn how to collect great art with the highest Return On Investment
for free.

Follow us in Facebook and twitter #Belle_Fusion, This means a lot to us to continue providing great source of information to you.