Saatchi Art Presents its Invest In Art 2017 Report: Spring Edition

05/25/17

Report Highlights Continued Growth in the Emerging Online Art Market and The Impact of Social Media as a Discovery Tool for Millennial Art Buyers

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As the world’s leading online art gallery, Saatchi Art has released its Invest In Art 2017 Report: Spring Edition, offering an overview of the emerging art market as well as 12 new artists with investment potential. The 11th edition of the comprehensive report highlights previous Invest In Art alumni, such as Andrew Salgado, Louis Fratino and Bradley Wood, tracking the career paths of these now highly sought-after artists who were identified very early on in their careers by Saatchi Art’s Chief Curator, Rebecca Wilson. Invest In Art is a recurring series published by Saatchi Art in order to identify emerging artists of particular promise and help first-time buyers and experienced collectors to make informed decisions about the works they acquire.

Online art sales continue to increase as buyers seek out new online avenues to purchase artwork. In its 2017 Online Art Report, Hiscox predicts online art sales will rise from $3.75 billion in 2016 to $9.14 billion in 2021. Art continues to be a major contender as an investment vehicle and is expected to remain strong over the next five years (source: Hiscox Online Art Report 2017).

Social media is having a major impact on consumer’s art buying habits with buyers using platforms such as Instagram to discover new artists. Saatchi Art has recognized the value of such platforms and increased its Instagram following by 185% during 2016.

“The internet remains a key factor in the overall growth of the art market,” said Rebecca Wilson, Chief Curator, Saatchi Art. “Online galleries offer artists new ways to show their works globally, and give collectors unparalleled access to new artists, shows and exhibitions beyond their local art scene, making buyers more knowledgeable than ever.”

The new emerging artists featured in the Invest In Art 2017 Report: Spring Edition have been selected by Saatchi Art’s curators from BFA and MFA graduation shows at some of the most prestigious schools in the U.S. and abroad. Leading the Saatchi Art curation team, Wilson draws on her extensive background working with emerging artists to identify new graduates whose works show potential for return on investment throughout their careers.

The Invest In Art 2017 Report: Spring Edition features the following emerging artists to watch:

  • Jack Bodimeade, BA (Hons), Goldsmiths University of London
  • Mitsuko Brooks, MFA, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Felix Carr, BA (Hons), Glasgow School of Art
  • Sam Drake, BA (Hons), Glasgow School of Art
  • Simon Ko, MFA,Yale University
  • Alfie Kungu, BFA (Hons), University of the West of England in Bristol
  • Tobias Lengkeek, BFA (Hons), Royal Academy of Art The Hague
  • Nasbami, BFA (Hons) Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • Michael Nauert, BFA (Hons), School of the Art Institute Chicago
  • Georg Oskar, MFA, Bergen Academy of Art and Design
  • Romee Van Oers, BA (Hons), Academy of Art and Design St. Joost
  • Hiejin Yoo, MFA, University of California, Los Angeles

To view Saatchi Art’s Invest In Art 2017 Report: Spring Edition and see works by this year’s 12 featured artists, visit www.saatchiart.com/invest-in-art.

About Saatchi Art

Saatchi Art features the world’s largest selection of original art and helps people all over the world find art and artists they love. The online art gallery offers more than 650,000 original unique paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs by over 75,000 emerging artists from over 100 countries. Saatchi Art is redefining the experience of buying and selling art by providing art lovers with free art advisory services and an expertly curated selection of art, while giving artists a convenient and welcoming environment in which to exhibit and sell their work. To discover the world of Saatchi Art, please visit www.saatchiart.com. Saatchi Online, Inc., which operates Saatchi Art, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leaf Group Ltd. (NYSE:LFGR).

About Leaf Group

Leaf Group Ltd. (NYSE:LFGR) is a diversified Internet company that builds platforms across its marketplaces (Society6, Saatchi Art, Deny Designs and The Other Art Fair) and various media properties (including Livestrong.com, eHow and Cuteness) to enable communities of creators to reach passionate audiences in large and growing lifestyle categories. In addition, Leaf Group’s diverse advertising offerings help brands and publishers find innovative ways to engage with their customers. For more information about Leaf Group, visit www.leafgroup.com.

Source: Saatchi Art

Saatchi Art

Sharna Daduk

Sr. PR Director

Sharna.daduk@saatchiart.com

or

Mia Mendez

Sr. PR Manager

Mia.mendez@saatchiart.com

310.917.6433