STATE OF THE ART
The inside word on acquiring the perfect bespoke sculpture, plus six collectable artists
FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY
SCULPTURE is often thought of – alongside oil on canvas paintings – as being the highest form of visual art and it is certainly one of the most intimidating to get to grips with, especially as a first-time collector. Deciphering whether or not a piece will work at home can be tricky, but if pulled off well, art in three dimensions can have presence and drama like nothing else. One way to ensure your new acquisition will sing is to commission something bespoke for your requirements.
The first step is finding an artist whose work you adore, then it’s time to get in touch. ‘Some artists have gallery representation and prefer that they handle this kind of communication, but others are not attached and you could reach out to them personally,’ says Laura Fulmine, interior stylist and founder of M.A.H Gallery. ‘Lots of artists use Instagram as a platform and correspondence can be as easy as writing them a quick message to see if they are open to the idea. It doesn’t have to be as daunting as you think.’ However you choose to get the ball rolling, it’s best to go in with a good idea of what you’re looking for. Try to come equipped with a cheat sheet of answers to the questions of size, colour and timings that will certainly be asked.
Those new to commissioning often wonder how collaborative the process will be, and how much it will be tailored to their needs. ‘Many artists will take commissions as long as there aren’t too many restrictions, the process is smooth and the artist feels they are still able to retain creative control,’ says Laura. It’s important to remember commissioning is not art-on-demand, and the piece needs to be an honest expression of an artist’s oeuvre. ‘I would advise bringing images of the artist’s past sculptures and having a placement in mind for your piece and photos of the area you can share. Artists work in very different ways and it’s best to ask about their process before starting out. If you like to know exactly what is going on with detailed updates, then you need to find an artist who is happy to work in this way.’
Sometimes a meeting of minds is the best path forward, whether that be a site visit for the artist to understand your space or a studio visit for you to learn more about the artist. Site visits will generally be at your expense for the artist’s time and travel – or if not convenient, dimensions and a video call go a long way. Studio visits, for any vaguely serious collectors, are a real privilege: ‘This is a chance to get to know the artist, what inspires them and exactly what the work involves – all important information when commissio
