Art Forgeries in Recent Times

The short answer is yes, you can be a full-time artist, but the path to achieving that goal can be difficult and uncertain. There is no single blueprint for success, and the journey often involves a great deal of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. In this article, we will explore some of the factors that can determine whether or not someone can become a full-time artist. Your journey is similar to many other talented artists who are excellent at what they do but are constrained to turn it into a profitable business or a career. If you are battling with these questions in today's world, you are already in a better position than someone, say, even just five years ago. Today, our world is smaller than it has been in terms of distances, yet more enormous than ever before regarding how much information is exchanged between various parts of the world. Overview Of The Art Market The art market has shown steady growth over the past few years, at an average of about 5%. According to the mid-year report published for 2020 by UBS and Art Basel, online art sales were over 37% of the total art sales made in the first half of the year, and this trend will continue beyond the pandemic situation. As per a report published by Hiscox, out of this approximate 64 billion U.S. dollars market, the online market for artwork is currently valued at 4.82 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of around 4% from 2018 and by more than 10% from 2017. Areas to consider Develop your skills. The first step to becoming a full-time artist is to develop your skills. This means practicing regularly and learning new techniques. You can also take classes or workshops to improve your skills. Create a strong portfolio. A strong portfolio is essential for any artist who wants to make a living from their work. Your portfolio should showcase your best work and demonstrate your range as an artist. Networking with other artists. Networking with other artists is a great way to get your work seen by more people. You can attend art shows, join art groups, or simply connect with other artists online via social media or other collaboration channels Market your work. Once you have a strong portfolio, you need to start marketing your work. This can be done through online platforms, social media, or even word-of-mouth. With more online platforms available now, having a presence across different region helps to promote your work better. Be patient. It takes time to build a successful art career. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Just keep creating great art and marketing your work, and eventually you will start to see success. Becoming a full-time artist is a challenging but rewarding journey. Having said that given the advent of social-media and with trust building up through Online medium, it has become lot more easier than earlier days to reach out to more art lovers and promote your works beyond the regional limits. Selling Art Online A few years ago, finding a gallery or an agent to work with a new artist would have been brutal. There was little exposure to social media and few e-commerce platforms to sell any commodity. But with the fast-paced enhancement in digital technology, increased interactions on social media, and a reach of about 4.5 billion internet users, selling art online for a living does not seem a far-fetched dream anymore. Many factors have contributed to increasing opportunities to sell your artwork online in today's world. The demand has increased over the past five years owing to rising income and interest among middle-class consumers. Gone are the days when only a few neighborhood art galleries arranged for an art exhibition once in a few weeks. Every exhibition caters to only a niche audience as it is a themed show or by one or a handful of artists. On top of that, since the art galleries catered to known artists, the products sold by them were quite expensive for a middle-class art collector to buy. The situation was impossible for a budding artist because almost no gallery could showcase an unknown name. The Benefits There are no obstacles and no rules to sell your work online. However, the internet has provided an opportunity to buyers across the globe to find art for their unique taste, which is available in many forms, many price brackets, and available anytime. For a new artist, this is a blessing. They can target their niche collectors or sell products across diverse markets. You may want to sell various types of artwork, from paintings to sketches to crafts to sculptures. You may want to sell to multiple target groups across all age groups living in different countries. You may want to take orders and customize your art to your customer's unique tastes. All this and more is possible in the contemporary world. There are no restrictions on an artist and none on the art enthusiast. What RtistiQ Can Do For You The best part of being an artist in this modern world is how technology works in your favor. RtistiQ is one platform that provides the best technology to enhance your experience as an artist. You can focus on your creativity and leave the sales to those who are experts in selling. RtistiQ is not any other e-commerce website. We want to connect artists to connoisseurs, artwork to collectors, and payments to sellers. We provide an end-to-end service to collect your art and deliver it to its destination. RtistiQ has many advantages, including easy to use platform, secure transactions, the best representation of your artwork using advanced technology, global outreach, and interactive and worry-free service. Giving Your Art A Virtual Flair Selling art online is all about imaging. RtistiQ has that covered for you. We offer an enhanced view of your artwork to the minutest details. The buyer can easily view the artwork on their preferred premises. Our platform would allow them to have an in-room experience with the artwork. This is achieved by using Augmented Reality (AR). AR technology enables you to translate your virtual experience into a real one. In the art world, this is used to let buyers' try' the artwork in their living room. This is much like how you try different hair colors or spectacles using apps. Similarly, collectors can use their mobile phones to view artwork and place it in their room before they buy it online. The system also makes suggestions of artworks to the collectors based on their interests, which are identified using machine learning algorithms by analyzing their search and purchase history. When the buyers get an enhanced buying experience with a platform, they tend to use it more often to make their purchases. This is why platforms like RtistiQ work in favor of the artists selling their art online. Hassle-Free Delivery And Easy Tracking RtistiQ also provides the service of picking up your artwork from your doorstep and delivering it safely to your customer. During the journey, the artwork can be tracked by both the seller and buyer. Expand Your Reach Also, as an artist, you do not have to sell your art through different channels, and you do not have to register on various social media platforms to promote your art. This is included in services offered by RtistiQ through social media integration to manage the promotion of all artists and artwork on various social media platforms. This allows the artist to manage their art through a single source yet take advantage of multiple channels for marketing. Your One-Stop Platform Above all, RtistiQ provides safe and secure payment options. Your needs as an artist are – an enhanced buying experience for your customers, safe and secure payments, hassle-free shipment, and broader reach for marketing. All of this is available through a single platform to you. There couldn't be a better time to take that plunge to be a full-time artist! Why are you still thinking?

RtistiQ

26 Nov 2020

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Art forgery is a major concern for art collectors of all kinds. When you shell out big money for an original, you want to know it’s the real thing. Nothing is more shattering for an art museum than finding out one of the paintings they’ve displayed has been a fake. Private collectors have their own concerns, too. A discovered forgery can represent a massive loss in assets. Some forgers are so good at what they do that their work can’t be distinguished from the real thing — at least not at first. Even experts, people who are trained to spot real from fake, can be tricked, sometimes for years. That makes forgery even scarier: how do you protect against it? The more you start looking into this shady world of art fakes, it gets you thinking. How many pieces up in art museums right now are forgeries? The truth is, we’ll never know the actual numbers or extent anytime soon. The rough estimate making rounds is that almost 40% of all art from master artists are either fakes or wrongly attributed. What we do know, is that with all the money to be made, people will continue to create art forgeries. Below, we’ve assembled a few of the biggest art forgery scandals from the last decade. Uzbek State Art Museum (2014) This story is the epitome of the inside job. The Uzbek State Art Museum was the target of a sophisticated ring of art forgers. They just happened to be the employees. Over a fifteen year period, three employees — chief Curator Mifayz Usmanov and two art restorers — systematically stole works from the museum and replaced them with forgeries. They resold the originals for incredibly low prices, somewhere in the range of €80 to 650, the equivalent of $100 to 810. The hard economic realities of Uzbekistan and the low pay of the staff created the backdrop for this last ditch effort to make some money. The work they sold included pieces by Lorenzo di Credi, Victor Ufimtsev, and dozens of other European artists. For their crimes, Usmanov received nine years in prison, while his two accomplices were sentenced to eight years each. Lino Frongia (2019) When we think of great art, we usually begin with the old masters. So did Lino Frongia, a relatively obscure Italian painter who spent the last few decades forging the greats and selling the work for millions of Euros. But Frongia had help from French art dealer Giuliano Ruffini, who claims innocence, stating that everything he sold was verified by experts. The forgeries landed in the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum, and London’s National Gallery and even tricked some of the great art collectors of our time. Frongia is accused of forging works by Frans Hals, Correggio, Lucas Cranach, among others. But it all came collapsing down when the Orion Analytical laboratory in Williamstown Massachusetts claimed to have found modern pigments in a work supposedly painted by Parmigianino. Since then, more and more paintings have been discovered that implicate Frongia. At RtistiQ, we leverage the latest technology like Digital Imagery, Blockchain and NFC to build a digital DNA of each artwork, connecting it to the original creator. This ensures a safe and trusted online art gallery for both art lovers and creators to transact. Knoedler & Company (2011) An Upper East side modern art gallery, an elite clientele, a collection too good to be true. It all came crashing down in 2011. Knoedler & Company was a mainstay of the New York art scene, opening its doors in 1846. And then, with little notice and in the middle of an art show, they closed their doors. The reason? It had come to light that in their last 15 years of business, they sold more than 40 forged paintings. The forgeries included works by Robert Motherwell, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko — sales of the forgeries totalled over $60 million. It all started when Knoedler & Company’s president began working with Glafira Rosales who claimed to be in contact with a certain “Mr. X” and his son. They had a tremendous amount of modern art marvels without provenance, the story went, and they wanted to sell these off. In truth, the paintings were created by Rosales’ boyfriend José Carlos Bergantiños Díaz and his brother Jesús, and master art forger Pei-Shen Qian. The story has been immortalized in the film Driven to Distraction. Conclusion Collecting is similar to love at first sight – you get a tingling sensation when you chance upon an artwork that you can connect with. You feel the desire to learn more about the artist and ultimately own the artwork. While it is becoming increasingly popular to buy art online in this decade, Art forgeries are on the rise as well. The good news is it can be tackled with proper technology in place like what RtistiQ Art Marketplace has achieved. If you are looking to buy paintings online, browse our wide array of artworks from all over the world today. Author: Jonathan M Clark

RtistiQ

08 Mar 2021

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In a rapidly changing world, the art industry has been profoundly impacted by the digital age and the emergence of millennials as a driving force in shaping its landscape. Olyvia Kwok-Decani, an esteemed expert in the field, provides valuable insights into the pivotal role millennials play in the evolution of art, particularly their influence on art consumption, creation, and the integration of technology. New era in the art market: As we delve into 2023, a significant shift has occurred, with millennials surpassing previous generations in art spending, marking a new era in the art market. The Art Basel-UBS report highlights this trend, revealing that millennials have exceeded boomers in their investment in artwork, leading to a notable increase in sales. Olyvia emphasizes this shift, stating, "Millennials spend four times as much as boomers and double the spending of Gen X." The digital age This has had a transformative shift. Growing up immersed in technology, millennials have wholeheartedly embraced digital art and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with great enthusiasm. Digital platforms have become fundamental for showcasing and acquiring artwork, fostering a strong sense of community among artists and art enthusiasts alike. Recognizing the significance of these platforms, Olyvia emphasizes, "Social media has emerged as a powerful marketing tool for artists and galleries to engage with the millennial audience, who predominantly consume art digitally." Influence of millennials Artists are adapting their practices to cater to this tech-savvy generation. The integration of digital tools and experiences has become paramount, enabling artists to provide immersive and interactive encounters for their audience. The boundaries between technology and art have blurred, giving rise to innovative forms of expression and exploration. Olyvia notes “that this shift has opened up new avenues for artists to connect with a broader audience and forge stronger bonds within the art community.” Art consumption: Millennials' interest in art extends beyond mere consumption; they are actively leaving their mark as artists. A wave of talented millennial artists has emerged, bringing forth fresh perspectives and themes that captivate the contemporary art scene. Notable names such as Sadie Burnette, Sam Falls, and Lu Yang have garnered recognition for their distinctive approaches, leaving a lasting impact. Millennials prioritize experiences and emotional connections when engaging with art, seeking works that provoke thought and challenge traditional norms. Consequently, politically themed artwork has experienced a surge, as artists utilize their craft to voice opinions and address pressing social issues. Digital engagement Millennials' impact on the art world transcends aesthetics and digital engagement. Olyvia underscores the fact that millennials view art as “enjoyable assets and increasingly consider it a viable financial investment”. Art has become a popular avenue for wealth accumulation among this generation, offering an alternative to conventional investment options. Motivated by financial gains and a desire to support artists, millennials have fuelled the growth of the art market, actively participating in and contributing to the art ecosystem. In conclusion The advent of the digital era has brought about a transformative shift in the art world, with millennials leading the charge. Their profound affinity for technology, quest for meaningful experiences, and financial motivations have redefined the art landscape. From embracing digital platforms to spearheading the creation of immersive art experiences, millennials are reshaping the future of art consumption and creation. As Olyvia Kwok-Decani aptly summarizes, "The millennial influence can be seen in the way art consumption has moved to digital platforms and the innovative approaches artists are taking to engage their audience." With millennials at the forefront, the art world continues to evolve along an exciting trajectory. About The Author Olyvia Kwok Decani Olyvia Kwok Decani has been collecting and investing in art for over 15 years. After graduating from Queen Mary’s University in 2002 with a degree in BSc Statistics, Olyvia opened her first gallery in St. James’s London. With years of experience, alongside in-depth knowledge of the market and an extensive global network, Olyvia continues to be one of the most prestigious and successful individuals in the industry.

OLYVIA KWOK-DECANI

16 Jun 2023

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Are you looking to add some original artwork to your home or office? Buying art online can be a convenient and rewarding experience, allowing you to browse a wide selection of unique pieces from independent artists worldwide. Plus, you'll be supporting the arts community and investing in one-of-a-kind pieces that can add beauty and personality to any space. The online art market has been growing rapidly in recent years. In 2020, online art sales reached $12.4 billion, up from $6.7 billion in 2017. This growth is being driven by several factors, including: The increasing popularity of online shopping. The growing number of art collectors who are comfortable buying art online. The increasing availability of high-quality art online. The convenience of buying art online. We explore further some of the benefits of buying art online and why anyone should consider purchasing art online to expand their Artwork collection. Access to a broader selection of artwork. One of the most significant advantages of buying original artwork online is access to more pieces. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar galleries, online art marketplaces can feature thousands of works from artists worldwide. You can browse styles, mediums, and price points to find the perfect piece for your space and budget. Many online platforms offer search filters and personalised recommendations to discover new artists and styles. Convenience and ease of shopping. Buying original artwork online offers unparalleled convenience and ease of shopping. You can browse and purchase artwork from the comfort of your home without travelling to a physical gallery or attending an art fair. This is especially beneficial for those with busy schedules or limited mobility. Additionally, online art marketplaces and online galleries often provide detailed information about each piece, including its size, medium, and artist biography, making an informed purchase decision easier. Many platforms offer secure payment options and hassle-free shipping, ensuring a smooth and stress-free buying experience. Direct support for independent artists. One of the most significant benefits of buying original artwork online is its direct support for independent artists. By purchasing artwork directly from the artist or through online marketplaces that support independent creators, you are helping to sustain their livelihood and support their creative endeavours. Emerging artists may have a different level of exposure or financial support than more established artists. Buying original artwork online is a convenient and meaningful way to support the arts community. Ability to discover new and emerging artists. Buying original artwork online allows you to discover new and emerging artists from all over the world. Online marketplaces and artist websites often feature a wide range of styles and mediums, allowing you to explore and find unique pieces you may not have otherwise discovered. Plus, you can snag a great deal on a piece before the artist becomes more well-known and their prices increase. This can be a great way to add variety to your art collection and support up-and-coming artists who are just starting to make a name for themselves in the art world. Some platforms allow you to follow the Artists to know about their next significant event or when they complete the next Artwork to be the first to know and acquire their latest works. Customisable options for framing and display. One of the benefits of buying original artwork online is the customisable options for framing and display. Many online marketplaces and artist websites offer various framing options, allowing you to choose the perfect frame to complement your new piece. Some websites even provide virtual tools to see how the artwork will look in your space before you purchase. This can help you make an informed decision about the size and placement of the piece in your home or office. The ability to customise your new artwork's framing and display options can help you create a truly unique and personalised addition to your collection. Technology is adding to the Art Buying Experience. With increasing technological advancement, buying Art Online through Online Galleries and Marketplaces is becoming more experiential. Use Augmented Reality to project the Artwork in your own space, Artificial Intelligence-based Art recommendations, and Image recognition tools to combine similar works or styles to explore and make your choices. Explore the works, mark your favourites, visualise in your settings and then decide to buy an artwork that suits your interest best. As a closing remark, it is safe to say that Buying Art Online will see more significant growth in coming years to support the democratisation of the Art Market and expand the reach for Artists through Online Galleries and Marketplaces to a newer audience across the globe. RtistiQ is one of the leading online marketplaces for Art, which has adopted new technologies such as Augmented Reality, 3D Spaces, Blockchain and NFC technologies not just to increase the virtual experience of Art Lovers but also to safeguard their investments through digital certification of the works to ensure genuine Authenticity.

RTISTIQ TEAM

30 May 2023

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Over the recent years, the growing art scene in Singapore has gathered much attention across the globe. Singapore has bloomed from just being an important financial hub to also a center of art and culture. For anyone looking to explore this booming art scene in Singapore, the various art museums and galleries in the island is just the right place to visit. The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) Location - 39 Keppel Rd, #01-02 Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore 089065 (Heritage buildings at Bras Basah Road and Queen Street closed for redevelopment) Entirely dedicated to contemporary art, the Singapore Art Museum holds an exquisite collection of artistic works by some of the best local southeast and East Asian artists. While creating a lively art experience for all, it has also organized a variety of exciting art events such as the Singapore Biennale and the Singapore Art Week which also included live art performances, art tours, workshops, etc. It has opened up multiple venues for exhibiting art. Apart from the two heritage buildings, the former St. Joseph’s Institution and the former Catholic Street, the most recent addition is the one in Tanjong Pagar Distripark. The National Gallery Singapore Location – 1 St Andrew's Rd, Singapore 178957 The largest museum of Singaporean and Southeast Asian modern Art, it is sheltered in the two iconic Singapore buildings – the Supreme court building and the City hall. These two monuments are itself great works of art built during the colonial times in Singapore. Today, it is home to some of the best collection of modern Singapore and southeast Asian art including the works of prominent local artists like Georgette Chen, Che Chong Swee and Liu Kang as well as by leading artists from both southeast Asia and the rest of the globe such as Raden Saleh from Indonesia and Latiff Mohidin from Malaysia. The exhibitions in many ways expresses the essence of Singaporean art and heritage. There is also the Keppel Centre for Art Education here which is Singapore’s first foremost art education center that fosters an environment of learning and exploration for youths, children and families. The Art House Location – 1 Old Parliament Ln, Singapore 179429 The art house was first established as the Old Parliament House Limited but it was later was renamed as the Arts House Limited on 19 March 2014. It strives to build up a rich community life by connecting through the diverse artistic productions in Singapore. It hosts art activities and exhibitions on a regular basis facilitating interactions among artists and lovers of art. Gillman Barracks Location – 9 Lock Rd, Singapore 108937 While Gillman Barracks today constitutes a space dedicated to creative art, originally, it was a building constructed in 1936 as army barracks for the British’s 1st Battalion. It was named after General Sir Webb Gillman. In 2012, it was transformed into a space for housing some of the leading art galleries while retaining the main colonial architectural designs. This includes the ShanghART Singapore and Sundaram Tagore Gallery. Today, it exhibits a wide array of top contemporary art from different parts of the globe. Within the same structure is the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) Singapore which is a research center that encourages experimentation with contemporary art. Goodman Arts Centre Location – 90 Goodman Rd, Singapore 439053 Established in 2011, the Goodman Arts Centre aims to build a lively space for art lovers to interact and experience different art forms such as fine art, dance, theatre and poetry. It is known for organizing some of the most thought provoking and exciting workshops and performances that reaches out to a diverse audience. Ranging from ceramic arts to cultural dance, there is something for everyone in Goodman Arts Centre. Collectors Contemporary Location – Petro Centre, 5 Jalan Kilang Barat, Singapore Collectors Contemporary brings to the fore innovative artistic productions from across the globe in a single platform; also providing an opportunity for art lovers to own some of these contemporary art works. Its selection of exhibits encompasses extraordinary modern and contemporary artwork of high quality. Famous for housing the largest collection of artworks by the famous icon, Andy Warhol, it also regularly arranges educational events and programs for art students with professional artists thereby creating a space of learning. NUS Museum Location – University Cultural Centre, Singapore Unlike other art museums, the NUS museum is actually a university museum set up to encourage cultural artistic life within the university. To enrich the learning experience, it organizes exhibitions, workshops, film screenings and public programs which is carefully curated. It consists of nine galleries which are mostly focused on presenting Southeast Asian art and culture. This includes four permanent collections – the south and Southeast Asian Collection, the Lee Kong Chian Collection, the Ng Eng Teng Collection and the Straits Chinese Collection. The Parkview Museum Location - L3, Parkview Square 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore The main highlight of the Parkview Museum established by the Parkview Group is Italian contemporary art and is famous for holding the largest Salvador Dali collection outside Spain. It however also figures as an important space that encourages the growth of the local art scene. This organizes solo shows and theme-based exhibitions mostly focused on architectural design and traditional art and culture.

RTISTIQ TEAM

30 Jan 2023

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