Revealed: The pros' secrets to buying art for our home

Irish Examiner

15-07-2025

Your spring cleaning, decorating or renovation project is done, and you're ready to enjoy the summer we appear to be having. Still, there's a blank wall reminding you daily that it needs and probably deserves a lovely artwork to adorn it.
While you can buy art at any time of year, the summer months see a glut of fairs and commercial exhibitions, some taking advantage of the outdoors to bring a novel way of experiencing art.
One of the highlights has been the Art + Soul International Art and Sculpture exhibition presented by Dublin and Belfast-based Gormleys for the third year at Cork's Castlemartyr Resort, where sculptures were shown among the 18th-century manor house's garden and parterre.
Jenny Belton's "Flowers on Blue Tablecloth" from Gormleys. Acrylic on linen, 50 x 50 cm.
Inside, walls were liberally hung with art from the likes of Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Banksy, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, along with Irish artists.
Love or money
Director James Gormley sees the art buying process beginning with whether your goal is investment or pleasure. 'We'll steer you if it's an investment,' he says. 'Original art will have a resale value if you get good advice. It's not like buying a car, which devalues. If you're buying because you love it, you'll appreciate it for decades.
Alea Pinar Du Pre's 'Laurel' from Gormleys; acrylic on canvas, 100cm x 100cm.
'Take your time and try to enjoy the journey. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to pay a little more to buy something you love.'
In print
It's something Denise Donnelly, owner of Dublin's The Doorway Gallery, also flags up. 'Don't be intimidated, visit art fairs, find something you connect with,' she says. 'It's your wall. The biggest mistake is following trends. It's about what you like and what that art does for your home.'
She recommends starting with a modest budget and availing of schemes to make art-buying more accessible.
The Doorway Gallery, Dublin.
'Don't be afraid to ask about a payment plan and consider prints,' she says. 'We also have a small print shop in Stillorgan Village Shopping Centre, and it's really popular with the younger market.'
Either way, acquiring art involves a financial outlay, but to mitigate the possibility of making a costly mistake is to consider a 'try before you buy' service.
The Doorway Gallery allows clients to 'live with' the art for a day or two before they purchase.
'Take pictures of what you like and we'll bring the art to your home for a day or two, and you can see them in different lights,' says Denise. 'Sometimes art is lovely in the gallery,y but it doesn't work at home.'
Right time, right place
Sales are buoyant at the 195th RHA Annual Exhibition in Dublin, according to curator Davey Moor. 'If you are interested in purchasing art, timing can be everything,' he says. 'Enquire in galleries about the possibility of being added to their mailing list 'Open' exhibitions are an excellent place to start; many regional art centres have these if you can't make it to the RHA Annual.'
'Dusk Oro', by Jess Kelly, RHA artist.
With prices ranging from €150 to €45,000 this year, Davey cautions against the impulse purchase.
'Some might say don't get carried away if you see something at an opening reception if you are afraid it will be snapped from your grasp as the red dots multiply, because, honestly, that's desire, it's panicked and impulsive, and when you fall for a piece of art you really want to make sure it's yours.'
Site specific
Going straight to an artist whose work you are drawn to is another option. Carlow-based contemporary abstract artist Jess Kelly has an eye for interiors and her work attracts buyers looking to add to their interior design projects, as well as personal commissions.
'Lots of clients are nervous, never having bought art before,' she says. 'They've seen my work or heard about it, or it's a referral. They could be looking for a very personal piece, or it might be just to finish off a room, so, say, you have a large wall, I'll mock up digitally with different sizes of art on the wall and see what works and won't swallow the piece.'
'The Aurora' by Jess Kelly.
Her starting point often involves the client sending her photos of their room and swatches of their materials and colours when it comes to creating an interior design piece, but also for personal commissions where the client has a specific theme or colourway in mind.
'I'm quite collaborative,' she says. 'But you should trust the artist as well. Something is making you gravitate towards them.'
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