“The art market has become a lot stronger over the past few years. People are drawn to quality New Zealand art, rather than international work.
There is a drive to examine New Zealand’s place in the world, and more people are discovering that our artistic culture is incredibly rich. We have always understood this at Webb’s, but it has been great to see leading New Zealand artists getting more widespread recognition and celebration.
Art is an excellent investment, and people have started to catch on. Unlike housing, shares, or other forms of investment, art’s value is derived from its cultural status.
People who bought Colin McCahon’s work in the 1960s or 1970s have in some cases seen a more than thousand-fold return. Even those who bought 10 or 20 years ago have done very well, and market appetite for his work shows no sign of abating. That has come with an increasing recognition of his historical significance to the nation’s artistic culture.
One of the real joys of collecting art is the layer it adds to life, the discussion, understanding and, above all, visual enjoyment.
Something that we have been seeing demand for and celebrating at Webb's is greater recognition of work by women artists.
Art by women has been historically undervalued relative to art by men. A shift in this status quo has been long overdue, and it’s great to see it starting to happen.
Artists like Seraphine Pick, Gretchen Albrecht, Robin White, Louise Henderson, Liz Maw and Fiona Pardington are seeing prices achieved at auction that reflect the quality of their work. That said, there is still a great deal of room for growth in the market’s understanding of work by leading women artists, and we will continue to champion and promote it.
The key to art investment is quality. Buying strong artworks by excellent artists is an approach you can’t go wrong with. But there is inevitably an element of subjectivity in the appreciation of art.
Following the careers of artists that you are interested in learning about their work, the places that they show, and their track record is an important step before you jump into buying. If you can pick up a strong example of a significant artist’s work from a key period of their career, that is going to see positive returns in the long run.
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Advertise with NZME.When it comes to jewellery and watches, typically the iconic brands appreciate the most in value, such as Hermes and Chanel.
We see fantastic pieces consigned for auction, and many at relatively affordable price points.
Steel sports watches from Rolex, AP and Patek are gaining momentum with secondary market returns at three times the original retail price. The prestige pieces from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Bulgari always achieve well and carry enduring appeal.
In our forthcoming Works of Art auction (March 28), there are a number of important works by the late Bill Hammond. He is one of the all-time greats of New Zealand painting, and his works are always hotly contested and carry broad appeal. Over the past few years his prices have accelerated in value, and Webb’s has consistently reset the highest price achieved by the artist.
There is an incredibly beautiful watercolour by Frances Hodgkins, titled Pansies in a Vase. Hodgkins painted this around 1908, and for a delicate watercolour the piece packs a visual punch.
Works by Hodgkins of this standard are rare to see at auction. Hodgkins is an artist whose prices are on an impressive incline, and this work creates an opportunity to invest in a work by an iconic New Zealand woman artist.”
I have been working with ... four contemporary painters on an exhibition called Penthouse. I am really looking forward to presenting these works to collectors in a downtown penthouse space later this year.
WHAT KEEPS ME INSPIRED
I have been reading ... Ralph Hotere's biography, The Dark is Light Enough, by Vincent O'Sullivan.
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Advertise with NZME.I'm listening to ... Nick Drake. I have an eclectic taste and love good music across most genres. I am really looking forward to seeing live music again.
I discovered ... local label Penny Sage recently and bought one of my favorite dresses there. I love that it is off the beaten track and a bit harder to find.
I do love a market ... and the opportunity to scour through secondhand items to find a gem. Quality vintage pieces are now a lot harder to find but it is fantastic when you do.
A cause that's close to my heart is ... NZ's unique flora and fauna, something that numerous artists such as Bill Hammond and Don Binney (pictured) are famous for referencing. I am a fan of the work that Forest and Bird do and am wholeheartedly behind the effort to protect what makes our country such an inspirational place for creatives.
A restaurant I like is ... Bar Celeste on K Rd is a lively and intimate spot. The food on offer is fantastic and, paired with warm service, it is a great destination for a special dinner.
I adore ... @Themodernpreserver on Instagram. Kylee Newton and I went through art school together and it is fantastic to see the people you love being so successful. She launched an amazing career in London and has recently returned to New Zealand after the launch of her second cookbook, The Modern Preserver's Kitchen.
My most recent purchase is ... a work by Imogen Taylor, bought at a fundraising auction for the Wellington City Gallery exhibition of Hilma af Klint. Taylor's work is a playful take on the tradition of abstraction that pushes the genre into a new realm. The work is intriguing on many levels, but on face value I am just drawn to her confident use of colour and composition to make genuinely beautiful paintings.
I'm keen to visit ... MONA in Tasmania as a first port of call. By all accounts it is absolutely phenomenal.
I have been enjoying ... the refreshing line-up that is on offer at the Hollywood Avondale. It is a unique cinema with its own distinct curation.
