Buying Caribbean Art

Sitting in the Punta Cana airport a few weeks ago, it struck me just how many passengers were actually traveling with carefully wrapped art pieces that they may have bought in local souvenir shops, somewhere along the streets on the Dominican Republic, or in a gallery at their hotels. Needless to say, there is no denying that many bought these pieces as souvenirs from their trip to the DR, but there certainly may have been one or two in the departure lounge who may have seen more in their Caribbean art than just a memory of their vacation. With that I asked Wayne Gallimore of Jamagination, dealers and publishers of fine Jamaican and Caribbean art, to share some tips on how one can go about buying Caribbean art, as an investment for example.

Wayne first noted that Caribbean artwork is usually purchased for the purposes of investment, decoration, gifts, souvenirs or some combination thereof. It is therefore important to be clear about your reason(s) for buying and your budget.

1) If investment is a motive, then seek to gain understanding of the relevant art market or get advice from credible sources, e.g. seasoned collectors, curators and/or dealers.

2) Art is "food for the soul' but taste is very subjective. So since the pleasure derived from viewing artwork is arguably its greatest benefit, then a good rule of thumb, when buying art for yourself, is to buy what you like. In other words, if you connect with a piece in a meaningful way, whether emotionally, intellectually or spiritually, and you can afford it, then buy it. Your appreciation is a "return" that you will enjoy over the long term … or at least until your taste changes. An exception to this rule can be made if buying art solely for investment and faced with a good opportunity.

3) Needless to say, buying for others can be risky depending on how well you know the intended recipient's taste.

4) Original artwork, i.e. paintings, sculptures, ceramics, fine art prints and photography, generally provide the best financial return on investment.

5) Giclees, on canvas or water color paper, are often indistinguishable from the originals. They are the richest, longest lasting and most accurate reproductions available and they allow collectors and decorators to enjoy great works of art at a fraction of the price.

Of course, whether buying or just looking, one’s appreciation of art throughout Latin America and the Caribbean needs not be limited to paintings and prints. Visits to galleries, workshops, and museums expose us to the region’s sculptures, pottery, photography and engravings, which also give us glimpses into a country’s culture, history, and sometimes future.