The First Step is Vision
Collecting art is personal—but investing in it is strategic. At AXIOM Fine Art Consulting, we advise clients who view art not only as an aesthetic pursuit, but as a meaningful asset class. In this edition of Expertly Framed | Insights from the Minds Behind AXIOM, our VP of Investor Relations, Marco Hussen, shares how to lay the foundation for a strong and intentional art investment portfolio.
Q: What’s the first step someone should take if they’re interested in starting an art investment portfolio?
A:
The first step is clarity. You need to define what you’re investing for. Are you looking for long-term appreciation over decades, shorter-term liquidity through resale, or legacy building for future generations? Once your goals are defined, everything else—risk tolerance, time horizon, price tier, and artist profile—starts to align.
At AXIOM, we pair that clarity with deep market intelligence. We track institutional acquisitions, auction results, and critical reception. But data alone doesn’t drive a great collection—intuition, taste, and cultural relevance matter just as much.
We also focus heavily on quality over quantity. We advise clients to build slowly, prioritizing depth over breadth. A strong portfolio often includes a mix of established blue-chip names and rising artists with curatorial momentum and market velocity.
The key is to approach each acquisition with both heart and intellect. Provenance, price performance, condition, and historical context all play a role. But so does your emotional connection to the work—after all, you’re living with it, not just investing in it.
Art investment isn’t about chasing hype. It’s about thoughtful, well-informed decisions—and working with someone who can help you navigate both the nuance and the numbers.
Ready to Begin Your Art Investment Portfolio?
Whether you’re just starting or ready to expand, our team provides white-glove guidance backed by decades of experience. Explore our art investment services or connect with our advisory team to begin your journey.
