This Portrait of Al Gore Could Be Yours

Posted: November 6th, 2011 | Author: artintolife | Filed under: art | Tags: art, art exhibitions, artists, Artspace, celebrities, decorating, home, photography, portraits, shopping

I am extremely reluctant to share this find — it’s causing me a bit of agita as I type — primarily because I am, well, selfish. I am afraid that if everyone finds out about this site, you will all begin to buy up the work I have my eye on before I get the chance (and, more to the point, the funds). However, in the interest of supporting artists and the art world, I am going against my better judgement and sharing.

A link that a friend sent me the other day turned me on to the most incredible website: artspace.com. While I generally believe it is best to buy art that you have been able to see (and experience) in person, I do find the possibility of buying art (of buying anything really) online tantalizingly seductive. How great, right, to buy art in the comfort of your own home (or while at work)? The majority of the sites I have come across up until now, most notably 20×200, offer anyone browsing the web the opportunity to discover new and emerging artists. Much of the work is interesting and many of the artists may go on to great success. You may feel comfortable simply finding something you like and buying it. However, if you are concerned with buying certifiably “good” art from artists who are likely to go on to big things, these sites can be terrifying to say the least. Everyone is entitled to his own taste. And it is, after all, taste. But personally at least, I am not always confident that I am good at spotting that great up and coming talent. Fortunately, my father-in-law is, but I am not. So I feel comforted have some confirmation from the establishment, as it were — the world of museums and galleries — that I do indeed have “good taste” and have chosen well. Enter Artspace.

Artspace carries the work of artists who have just begun to establish themselves, and even that of some artists who are already well beyond established. The more established artists generally command a pretty hefty price, but Artspace has work from some terrific artists for prices generally within the reach of the amateur collector. Works range anywhere from $100 to $18,000. I was surprised and tickled (a ridiculous word, but there you have it, that was the feeling) to find available on Artspace a Chuck Close photograph of Al Gore selling for $1800. I know, that might sound like a hell of a lot of money. But for a limited edition signed work by Chuck Close, it strikes me as really not so bad. (Chuck Close – Al Gore for Sale | Artspace.) I was tempted to buy it, for the beauty of owning a Chuck Close, but my husband nixed it. If, however, you don’t find it strange to hang a portrait of Al Gore on your wall, I say “go for it”.

To aid you in your selection, Artspace has complete biographies of all of the artists along with listings of the galleries that carry them and shows they have participated in. I recognized a number of emerging artists whose work I have seen hanging in museums. I like the idea that, for $600, I could own that too. Run, now. Check out Artspace. Just don’t buy the last copy of anything in case it’s one of the pieces I have my eye on. Ok?