7 risks faced by the next generation of art collectors

Preserved animals as conversation pieces. Canvases covered in chewing gum. Five figure acquisitions completed by cell phone. New media, new genres, and new channels are just a few of the ways art collecting is changing for the next generation. With those changes come new challenges and risks. But don’t worry, these risks can be managed with the help of a risk manager, conservator, or a Chubb art specialist.

If your artwork is created with unique media, your display and preservation issues will be unique too. Artists now use a range of materials, from acrylic and oil paints to food products and other ephemeral materials. In some cases, the artist is aware that these materials will change over time, and they may consider that change to be part of the work. Collectors of artwork which includes non-traditional materials should work with a conservator to ensure proper display and environmental controls are in place to help protect and preserve their artwork.

You may not expect taxidermy and other animal preservation methods to be popular with the next generation of collectors, but some artists, such as Damien Hirst and Maurizio Cattelan, have incorporated them into their art. These types of artwork may be susceptible to infestation if not properly preserved and can pose a fire hazard if combustible liquids such as formaldehyde are used. Keeping them within climate-controlled environments can prevent many mishaps or issues.

When you purchase a piece of conceptual art, you’ll receive a certificate of authenticity and a detailed set of instructions on how to create the work. The artist, his or her studio, or the owner will install (and potentially destroy and re-install) the artwork, according to the artist’s instructions. Because the concept is more important than the work itself, lost certificates may mean the value of the piece is also lost. Make sure you keep those in a secure location, such as a safety deposit box, to maintain the value of the work.

Before you install a piece of artwork using non-traditional media, contact an art conservator to help you identify unstable materials or inherent structural issues. He or she can also help you find the right way to protect and preserve even the most delicate of pieces. Art handlers can advise you on the most appropriate installation hardware to use, based on the work’s size and characteristics. After installation, consult an art handler on a regular basis to determine whether hanging wires and devices have weakened over time, putting your works at risk.

Travel to major art centres, like New York or Los Angeles, is no longer a necessity. As a collector, you can engage directly with galleries, museums, and artists through websites such as Artnet, the largest online art auction house. In addition, curated virtual tours, online auctions, and Instagram accounts make it easier to preview and buy artwork without leaving your home. Along with auction houses, art fairs and art galleries pivoted to online sales last year and growth in this area will likely continue. However, purchasing artwork online presents additional risks, since you’re not there, in person, to see the artwork and its actual condition. To help ensure a quality purchase, request a condition report and provenance information before buying.

If you are purchasing artwork online or if you intend on moving your artwork from place to place, it’s important to use a packer and shipper that specializes in handling fine art, rather than a general carrier, since transit is a major cause of loss or damage to art.

Most homeowner’s policies cover your home and its contents but may not be enough to cover a fine art purchase or group of pieces. Make sure to contact your insurance broker to see if you need an additional valuable articles policy, that will cover your artwork, whether it is lost, stolen, or damaged, up to its actual value.