Buying art can be an intimidating experience. There's something about that little word that throws us into a crisis of self-confidence. The fact is, buying art should be no more difficult than choosing a rug, a sofa or a set of dinner plates.
For me, personally, there are some basic principles that I apply to make buying artwork easy. I buy what I like (I don’t buy it because someone else tells me it’s a great piece of art). Secondly, I never buy an artwork as an investment; the value of art is completely intangible and I am happy to pay the market rate with no expectation of financial gain. Finally, I trust my intuition. If my first impressions are good, then it’s likely to fit within my home. Nonetheless, buying art can be confusing and it’s useful to understand some of the basics that will help inform your decisions.
Prints can be an excellent and affordable option, but first get to know the difference between a limited-edition and open edition print. An open edition refers to a print that has no limit to the number of copies produced. Naturally, this reduces its value. A limited-edition print refers to a strictly controlled number of reproductions – usually somewhere between 50 and 150. This small number increases its value and guarantees that only this amount will ever be printed.
On the subject of printed editions, get to know a little about its methods. Nowadays, the most common form of fine-art print is a giclée – a French word that broadly means "sprayed ink". Giclées make fantastic quality prints and the inks should last a lifetime without fading. Silk-screening is another method, and is generally only used on limited-edition print runs. Watch out for litho prints, which is generally reserved for higher print runs and is mostly used for posters.
Apart from printed editions, there are also originals and hand-embellished artworks. The former refers to works that are unique, and produced by or under the supervision of the artist. They are usually easy to identify as they will most likely have more texture than a printed version. An embellished artwork is a print that has been finished with additional ink, paint or texture to add interest to the surface. These tend to be more "special" than a normal print and are priced somewhere between an original and an edition.
Whether it's an original or a limited-edition, ask the gallery for a certificate of authenticity to accompany your artwork. This piece of paper ought to mention the number in the edition – which should correspond to the number on the print. With an original, the certificate confirms that the artwork was indeed produced by the hand of the named artist – an important factor, should the artist become highly collectible later on.
A good frame can transform an artwork by separating it from its surroundings. There are three primary components to a frame, and a good framer such as The Gallery Workshop in Al Serkal Avenue will advise you on the best choices for your artwork. The mount – usually a white or coloured card that surrounds a paper print – is crucial in creating space around the artwork. Choose a colour that complements and always double mount. The frame profile is the physical frame that surrounds the mount. There are thousands to choose from, and my principle is to keep it simple. An overly ornate frame can distract from the artwork and confuse the eye.
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Read more:
Design dilemma: Understatement versus a sense of overstatement in the home
Design dilemma: a beginner’s guide to growing plants in the UAE
Design dilemma: The home office is dead; long live working from home
Design dilemma: Accessible art for all, not just the few
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Once you have got it home, think about how and where to hang it. A common mistake is to place it in a position that is already busy with other items. Give it some space – it will look better positioned on its own. If it isn't working in a particular space, don't be afraid to move it to another space. You'll be amazed how different a piece can look in a different environment. When you've had enough of an artwork, store it somewhere dry and secure. Limited-editions and originals may gain value, and future generations may appreciate them.
Visit www.g-1.com; @gallery.one on Instagram
Do you have any design dilemmas? Send them to homes@thenational.ae and we will get them answered by an expert
Major honours
ARSENAL
BARCELONA
- La Liga - 2013
- Copa del Rey - 2012
- Fifa Club World Cup - 2011
CHELSEA
- Premier League - 2015, 2017
- FA Cup - 2018
- League Cup - 2015
SPAIN
- World Cup - 2010
- European Championship - 2008, 2012
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
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HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
- And then copy into this box
- It can be as long as you link
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- That's about it
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
The specs
Engine 60kwh FWD
Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power 204hp Torque 360Nm
Price, base / as tested Dh174,500
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Afro%20salons
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Roll of honour: Who won what in 2018/19?
West Asia Premiership: Winners – Bahrain; Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership: Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Winners – Dubai Hurricanes; Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference: Winners – Dubai Tigers; Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
SPECS
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more from Janine di Giovanni
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
