Is buying art a waste of money?

[MonsteraCheeseplant]

Art can be cheap or expensive, and value for money wise, you can get a great deal buying a poster type print for next to nothing. So is it ever a good investment to buy more expensive 'pieces'?

I've just name changed for this as I don't want my previous posts mixed up in my art world. I really hope I'll be able to get my original name back after this!

If you really love a painting and can afford it, then buy it for that reason, not as an investment (unless it is actually a Picasso ).
I am an artist and I believe the buyers who collect my work do so because they love it and want it hanging up in their home, not because they are wanting to sell it on. They are allowing themselves to spend their hard-earned money on something unique that brings them joy.
Buying a poster and framing it is a good and inexpensive way to have nice pictures up in your home, but it is not the same as owning an original piece of art.

It's about valuing the work, and feeling that it is a real treat for yourself; the investment bit is paying good money for something that you feel is special and feeling that you are allowed to have nice things that bring you joy, even if they cost a bit. And they don't deteriorate like a new phone, car, or some other 'treat'.

If you're looking at a painting and you love it, but are unable to justify buying it for yourself unless it can be shown that its value will increase, then you probably shouldn't.

About 10 years ago after I had gone through a horrible breakup I went into an art gallery. I walked to the back and then turned around and there facing into the room was a stunning painting. A dramatic landscape in oils. I fell in love. I bought it (using my credit card) and then a few days later it was delivered to my home.

I’ve never been that spontaneous before with money (cost me about £1400) but I had to have it.

In 2 house moves it has always come with me and had pride of place. Today it sits opposite a real landscape which, at times, looks exactly like the one in the painting. It brings me joy every day and if it was only worth 20p it would still be priceless to me.

If you love a piece of art and can afford it then buy it. What is the point of money if not to make you happy (once all the bills are paid obviously!)?

What a lovely story @Wishihadanalgorithm sounds like that was exactly the right thing to do! And you are still getting enjoyment from it, an enduring gift you made to yourself