Let us remind you that it is perfectly normal to feel unsure about art. Try to leave prejudices and preconceived notions behind and let yourself be inspired. Dare to trust your feelings, get lost in the fine details of art, take in the whole picture, look around, ask questions, feel and buy what appeals to you and allows you to.

It would be an unreasonable demand for art to always appeal to everyone in every situation.

Today, there are fantastic platforms, both online and in the real world, to familiarize yourself with the art scene and the most exciting contemporary artists of our time.

Are you eager to start buying contemporary art? Here are some simple tips on things to consider in such cases. After all, who wouldn't be interested in discovering our next Ernst Billgren?

Galleries

Traditionally, galleries have about ten to twenty artists associated with them. These artists are marketed and their art is facilitated by the galleries.

Many gallery owners and artists follow each other throughout their lives and build careers together. Most galleries operate in the primary market, where you can buy new art at a fixed price.

When you buy from a gallery, normally half of the money goes to the gallery owner and half to the artist.

Some galleries have close relationships with art collectors, and it is not uncommon for loyalty to develop where collectors purchase the majority of their art through a few galleries. The gallery owner becomes both a gatekeeper and a guide in the art world.

Galleries have recurring art exhibitions in their premises, starting with an opening reception to which everyone is welcome. There are also activities such as closing parties and artist talks during the exhibitions to create relevance and curiosity.

Art is not exhibited just for people to see it. It is meant to be sold.

Auction Houses

The majority of items sold through auction houses go for less than a thousand units of currency. But in a few cases, prices can skyrocket if there is high demand.

Auction houses operate in the secondary market, and when buying at an auction, it's good to know that in addition to a buyer's premium (often around 20 percent), there is a fee called droit de suite (artist's royalty).

Art Dealers

An art dealer buys and sells art in the secondary market, but unlike auction houses, they work with fixed prices. Many art dealers also organize exhibitions similar to galleries, but these are usually done without the involvement of the artists.

However, the art industry is changing, and recently, new players have emerged in the market who resemble a hybrid of a gallery and an art dealer.

Art Fairs

Art fairs bring together several galleries under one roof for a limited period. Art fairs can be a good and convenient place to get an overview of different artists and what is currently happening.

The participating galleries are often determined by an exhibition committee that selects the galleries to participate (but even if you are selected, it is not free to participate).

At the largest international fairs, galleries showcase their trophy artworks because they know that many celebrities, collectors, curators, and museum directors from around the world are present. Besides Art Basel, Frieze, Armory Show, and Fiac are considered important fairs. In the Nordic region, Danish ChArt is the most popular, followed by Market Art Fair in Stockholm.

In addition to the major fairs, there are often smaller fairs that exhibit less established art. There, you can find tomorrow's stars before their prices skyrocket.

Art Advisors

For frequent art buyers who feel they lack time, there are art advisors. These advisors suggest purchases, negotiate terms, help build collections, or provide advice on complementing existing collections for both individuals and

Artwork in image: Nygårds Karin Bengtsson