At home with….Niree Kalfayan
25 February 2021
Art consultant and collector Niree Kalfayan has been building her own collection for more than five years and now owns more than 20 works of art herself. She founded Curated by Niree in 2019, and through her art consultancy she seeks to make art collecting an approachable and pleasant experience for everyone - regardless of experience or budget.
Last year brought about many changes as a result of the pandemic, were there any consequences for you as a collector?
It was such an interesting time for myself and other collectors I connect with. Unanimously, we bought more art in 2020 than our previous art collecting years. I think since many people were home, all eyes were on the art world. The world was hurting for many reasons, especially the civil rights uprisings across the globe. In some ways, we looked to art to heal us. My art collection grew significantly and I was introduced to many other artists and art collectors this year. Other parts of our life slowed down, but I felt I was able to connect with other people over art and that was truly a blessing.
How did you connect with other people and artists?
Mainly through Instagram and Clubhouse. I was invited to join an art collector’s group where we share about artists of interest, art events, and our experience as collectors. I began to recognize collecting as an art in itself. I used to see it as a hobby or a passion, but it is truly an art to curate a collection.
Were you surprised about any changes in the art market?
I noticed a lot of artists taking initiative to create their own independent platforms. Historically we have always seen artists going through the gallery platform, but many artists are now launching independent projects and selling artwork on their own website and platform outside the gallery space. Artists are taking their careers into their own hands to some extent.
Also – there is such an electricity in the art world now. There are so many young, new collectors that are looking into art as an investment. I love seeing the increased interest in starting art collections.
Many people who are new to buying art are looking for inspiration and guidance from those that have been buying art for a while, especially when it comes to buying their first work of art. Do you remember your first art purchase?
The first piece I owned was gifted to me, it was a limited edition print by Brad Novak, called Peace Trooper. I know you’re not supposed to do this when you receive a gift, but out of curiosity I looked at the price and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was affordable.
After that I came to the realization that buying art could be friendly to any budget, if I just knew where to look. The first piece I purchased for myself was by the artist Cleon Peterson. By following his website and IG page, I learned that he was releasing a print for $175. Now his work is worth much more than that.
I would recommend for new collectors to visit galleries that feature the style of art you are interested in. Do your research online to see what pieces are available and to discover featured artists. Also, follow artists you like on Instagram. Subscribe to their website to learn more about them and to stay in the know about upcoming releases.
Due to the pandemic, many galleries are open by appointment only or you can explore art through a virtual tour. I prefer to experience art in person, viewing art though a screen is limiting, a picture doesn’t capture all the details you can witness in person.
Is there one stand out tip that you can give to those who are starting a collection or considering buying their first work of art?
The number one rule when buying art is, you have to love the work. The second rule is that it should be within your budget. When you see a piece of art that you have a visceral reaction to, you form a special connection with the piece. If you love the work and it’s in your price range, go for it!
Usually most collectors that are starting out are not comfortable spending $5,000 or $10,000 for their first piece, but I think it’s important for new collectors to know you can buy valuable art for under $500.
Fair warning: art collecting is addicting, once you get one you’ll want more!
Is there one work that you either own or would like to own that stands out above all others for you? What is it and why?
There are what I like to call my “bucket-list artists” and this list is too long to list all of the artists, however, I discovered a Cameroonian artist recently, Maurice Mboa. His work is intricate and mesmerizing. He creates with mixed media on engraved metal, such a unique method. I’d love to own one of his pieces.
Many collectors are looking to deepen their knowledge of the arts and the market. Is there a book that inspired you?
There is a book that was recommended to me recently, called A Poor Collector’s Guide to Buying Great Art by Erling Kagge. It’s not wordy and it highlights some interesting dynamics of the art world that are relevant today. The book was published in 2015 and since, the art world has been greatly influenced by the internet and social media thus some of the ideas in the book are a little outdated, but the baseline principles still apply.
For more seasoned collectors, I recommend The Art Collector's Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Acquiring and Owning Art by Mary Rozell.
What is the one thing you look forward to in the art world in 2021?
I launched my art consulting business and I am looking forward to helping novice collectors start and grow their art collection. My mission is to make everyone an art collector!