How to build a meaningful art collection | Insights from VOLTA Exhibitors
For new and experienced collectors alike, art fairs provide unparalleled access to artists, galleries, and new perspectives. Ahead of VOLTA, our exhibitors share their thoughts on collecting with intention and confidence.
In a market often dominated by trends and investment narratives, the most meaningful art collections begin with genuine connection. Whether you're acquiring your first work or refining a collection you've built over years, the advice from VOLTA's exhibitors is consistent - slow down, look closely, and trust your instincts.
"Start by looking and trust your eye, not trends, not speculation. Notice which works you return to. The pieces that stay in your mind are often the ones worth considering. A collection is, in the end, a reflection of your personal journey. If you buy what truly moves you, your collection will always have value: intellectually, emotionally, and often over time, financially as well".
Galerie Barbara von Stechow | Stand C01
Frankfurt, Germany
Edite Grinberga, Studio Erkelenzdamm, 2023, Oil on canvas, 120 x 200 cm. Courtesy Galerie Barbara von Stechow.
“Take time to look. In Japanese aesthetics, meaning often emerges slowly, through attention and repetition. Rather than trying to understand everything immediately, allow yourself to stay with a work, to return to it, and to notice what changes. A work of art is not something to consume quickly - it is something to live with”.
Aifa | Stand C08
Verbier, Switzerland
"Don’t worry too much about other people’s opinions or advice, and don’t let others contaminate your own taste. Collecting art is really a journey of discovering what moves you personally and what you believe is good art. A gallery is there to support you, guide you, and answer your questions, but the final decision about whether or not to buy a work should always be your own".
JanKossen Contemporary | Stand D01
Basel, Switzerland
"Take your time: walking through the entire fair before buying helps you understand what truly draws you in, beyond the impulse of the moment. Trust your intuition. If a work provokes a reaction - curiosity, discomfort, emotion- it’s already a strong starting point. The art you live with should challenge or move you, not simply “match” a space".
AC Latin Art | Stand B08
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Artwork credit: Ana E. Fernandez
“Start by buying what genuinely stays with you. Art fairs can feel overwhelming, but the strongest collections are built through curiosity and emotional connection rather than trends or market pressure.Take your time, ask questions, speak with galleries, and learn about the artist’s practice and process. A meaningful collection develops gradually and should reflect your perspective, interests, and the works you want to live with over time”.
HOFA | Stand D11
London, UK
"Don’t be afraid to begin small. Your first acquisition doesn’t need to be your most expensive but rather something you genuinely connect with. Living with art is a relationship, and your taste will grow with it".
Galerie Katapult | Stand E03
Basel, Switzerland
“Research as much as possible prior to the fair. Take some time beforehand to explore the galleries, their vision, their programmes, and the individual artists, and see what aligns with your taste and expectations…If you like a work but don't want to make a hasty decision, ask for it to be put on hold for you for 24 hours and always let the gallery know your decision”.
Janet Rady Fine Art | Stand D04
London, United Kingdom
"Starting a collection can be an act of awareness and support: choosing works that resonate with your values, challenge perceptions, and spark reflection. Collecting becomes not only about owning art, but about participating in the stories, histories, and sensitivities that the works convey".
Arts d’Australie.Stéphane Jacob |Stand P4 - Everywhen: Contemporary Aboriginal Art
Paris, France
Konstantina, Ken Done Loves Eora Waterways I, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 61x61cm. Courtesy Arts d’Australie.Stéphane Jacob
“Does it move you? Trust your instinct and follow your heart. Discover the story behind the work, and gather every detail until it truly resonates. And above all, don’t see art as an investment - feel it as a connection”.
MA Gallery | Stand F09
London, United Kingdom