According to Investec, 17% of adults have invested in art, so we spoke to Jean-David Malat, founder of Mayfair's JD Malat Gallery. Since opening in 2017, the gallery has supported established and emerging contemporary artists, representing more than 20 international artists across a range of mediums. Having participated in art fairs worldwide, Malat amplifies his artists' work to a global audience.
According to Malat, there is some way to go in growing a Gen Z customer base: "While there is an increase in the amount of younger and new buyers, the growth of Gen Z collectors is still in the nascent stages."
"If you buy an artist's work between £10,000 and £20,000 the risk is lower," he advises. "Their price points typically get higher with new bodies of work, however, given that they're often younger artists at this price point, they'll continue to make new work and therefore supply can, at times, match or outweigh demand."
On investing in art for profit, Malat says: "If you want to maximise financial return, buy with the idea that there is less liquidity in the art market in comparison to trading and financial markets."
"Think about how much you connect with a piece before you buy it and remember that if you're buying an artwork by a contemporary/living artist, you are really investing in the artist and the network that surrounds them more than the piece itself."
"Think about how much you connect with a piece before you buy it and remember that if you're buying an artwork by a contemporary/living artist, you are really investing in the artist and the network that surrounds them more than the piece itself."