In keeping with the holiday spirit, this week’s post is devoted to the increasingly common practice of giving art as presents. Of course, there is no limit to when you can do this – it’s also popular to choose a work of art to give as a gift on the occasion of a birthday, anniversary or other special event – but this is one time of the year when what to get and what to give is an issue on many people’s minds. Parties, ‘secret santa’ arrangements, family meals and new year celebrations can all be great fun, but sometimes working out what to get someone, particularly a close family member or someone who has been especially supportive over the year, can be difficult.
Art is a very individual thing, and may not be appropriate for everyone. Your techy relative might prefer the latest gadget, or your teenage cousin a gift voucher for her favorite stores, so it’s important to consider the character of the person before you go out to buy anything. I’m not suggesting art as the solution to all your seasonal shopping worries. (Sorry. I don’t think there is a simple solution; if anyone has found one, do share.)
Having said that, for some people art can be a wonderful way out of the traditional problem facing many of us at this time of the year. (What’s not clothes, is personal, and hasn’t already been done before?) Art is a tremendously personal gift, one that makes it clear that you devoted time and thought to both what to get and which particular piece is most appropriate. It is also something that will be treasured for many years, and, because it becomes part of the house, can act as a symbol of a shared bond and friendship as part of everyday life. I can say from experience that when I happen to catch sight of a piece that has been up for a long time from an unusual angle, or when it is lit up by a particular shaft of light, it always lifts my mood and I smile when I remember the person who gave it to me.
All this said, many people object that it is so difficult to know exactly which piece their friend would like – the downside of art being such a personal gift is that, well, art is very personal. What one person adores may appear commonplace to another. Firstly, it is useful to know something about your friend’s tastes beforehand. In general, though, knowledge of your friend and a passing familiarity with their home is often enough to give you a general idea – particularly useful since, if you’re buying it for their home, it is useful to have an idea of the general color scheme, size and so on.
The reason you don’t have to be absolutely sure when you buy the art, though, is that many galleries are happy to exchange or refund the work within a set period of time. This is something you should check before you buy, but it is a common policy. Therefore, your friend can, if necessary, exchange for another piece – just as they can swap that sweater their aunt so kindly picked out for them for a new pair of pants. The difference is, though, that they’ll hopefully be able to exchange for something that will become part of their home, and that they will cherish and love for many years. The only caveat here is that you have to bear this possibility in mind when you buy the artwork and promise yourself and your friend that you are happy for them to change it if they wish. If you do happen to get it wrong, it is not because you don’t know them well enough or because you didn’t spend enough time on it, it’s just because the relationship between a person and a piece of art is intensely personal. They will still appreciate and be touched by the time, effort and thought you put into it.
Art doesn’t have to be expensive to be the right piece for you. Armistead’s Gallery in Lismore has an annual display around this time of year with contributions from local artists, where the price of each work varies from about $3.50 to $250. The important thing is to find something that you really think suits the person you’re buying it for, something you’re excited about giving them.
Finally, if you and your friend share an interest in art or art in the community, but you’re not feeling confident enough to pick out a piece to give them, a donation to an art-related charity in their name can fit the bill. My attention happened to be caught by this Facebook page suggesting giving art supplies of various kinds (particularly those sitting around your home) to ‘Free Art’, a project which helps children get in touch with their artistic side as part of a healing process, but there are plenty of others around, and probably even some in your neighborhood. It doesn’t have to be a huge gift to make a big difference to someone nearby.
Season’s Greetings to all our readers, from everyone at Agora Gallery!
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