Hello all, maybe there are some members here who might have a few useful tips. Am interested in art, and am looking to invest in some half-way renowned artist to hang in the study. Am looking for both aesthetics as well as a decent investment (As in, with a resale value). I found a pretty interesting website where you can get in touch with sellers, and have been browsing a bit.
Any tips for a newcomer? What to be aware of? Importing into Switzerland, insurance against destruction, etc.

Also, what is a serigraph? I found a few serigraphs by an artist I like, but cant make out if they are originals, or have been reproduced using screen printing? I looked up the word on the internet but couldnt make out. Any tips welcome!

Question to mods: Why cant I see this thread on the list of active threads?

A serigraph is a silk screen print. Warhol popularised this method. If you buy a screen print, you'd at least want an edition, a numbered and signed print.

I would not buy anything online, not because it might be dodgy but for personal reasons. Why do people buy art? For many reasons, it may be for investment purposes and it may be because you actually like it! If it's the latter (or both reasons), it's a good idea to actually go and see what you are buying. A work of art can speak to you, and that's why most people buy art. Also, speaking to the seller, seeing the piece, the anticipation, the doubt, the fear of buyers remorse etc all makes for wonderful arty foreplay. It's a lot more satisfying, meaningful and fun visiting the seller and seeing a piece of art before buying it.

I can put you in contact with someone who is a most interesting and reliable fellow (In Zurich). I recently purchased something quite different from him - by a UK based X-Ray artist called Nick Veasy.

Otherwise you can buy some nice editions from renowned galleries like Fondation Beyeler in Basel.

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The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few

Cool stuff! Do you know the price range? (if you don't feel comfortable putting it in a post, please pm me)

Every Christmas there is an art supermarket in Solothurn, unfortunately you will have to wait until November now,
http://kunstsupermarkt.ch/~rothus/default.htm

But you can get an idea of the artists' styles here,
http://kunstsupermarkt.ch/~rothus/ga...010/index.html

Art Supermarket, Solothurn: from 19. November thru' to 7.01.2011

Between 1500 and 50000 if I were to hazard a guess. The exhibition is long over, but I think they may still have the catalog and works for sale.

Thank you!

Hello
I am a Swiss artist but not known, you can see my work on the etsy website, just type in acaciasgallery under 'seller'

But mainly i wanted to post because one artist locally I know of is pretty popular at the moment in Lavaux, and apparently his pieces are a good investment. His name is Walter Malfi - he is currently exhibiting in Epesses, at the 3 soleils gallery.

Good luck!!