Four things to know when buying art for your home

Repeat after us: art is subjective. That means you don’t have to love a piece just because it’s expensive, or you think it might increase in value, or even because someone told you it was by the next Banksy. When it comes to purchasing art, you really need to follow your heart and trust your instincts – especially considering the piece will be a key feature of your home, and you’re going to spend quite a lot of time looking at it. So be sure to take the time to browse as much art as possible, try not to let anyone else influence you, and keep an eye out for that one special masterpiece that speaks directly to you. Trust us, you’ll know it when you see it.

We hate to be the one to break it to you, but unless you’re living in a multimillion-dollar mansion with one of those gallery-sized hallways, you may need to hold off on purchasing a really large artwork – no matter how fab it may be. Instead, it’s important to think about the layout of your home and the rooms you’re working with, and prepare by measuring things up as accurately as possible. Seriously, the last thing you want to do is buy something that has to go straight into storage because it doesn’t fit through the front door. The Other Art Fair offers options for all home-dwellers, owners and rentals though – from large format to miniature pieces, and even bespoke commissions – so you're sure to find a piece to fit any room in your house.

Now, before you start rationing your food supplies or selling off any personal belongings, let us remind you that buying quality art doesn’t have to send you bankrupt. The Other Art Fair is all about making art accessible, and the prices (which are clearly marked to avoid any awkward convos) reflect this – so expect to see small-scale works and open edition prints starting at around $100, and larger pieces that are a tad more costly. Essentially, as long as you have a budget in mind (and stick with it), you should be fine. But if you do happen to fall in love with a piece that’s just outside your price range, you can register for Art Money, which allows you to pay for your artwork over ten months, interest free. 

The Other Art Fair (as you’ve probably already guessed) is pretty different to your run-of-the-mill artsy event, but aside from the free-flowing bevs, live DJ performances and budget-friendly prices, one thing that’s pretty special is the chance to meet the creators themselves. Unlike when you bought that generic, mass-produced print from Kmart, now you can have an actual IRL conversation with the artist, and pick their brain on the creative process, what inspires them, how long the piece took to complete and what their next project is. Not only does this allow you to really connect with the artist and their work, but it also makes for a great story to share when guests come over to inevitably fawn over your newest acquisition. 

The Other Art Fair is on from December 2-5 at the Cutaway at Barangaroo. Book your tickets and find out more here.