The White House Gallery
Monday, 03 July 2017 14:22

Blue Chip Art

Written by The White House Gallery

As you may already know, The White House Gallery specialises in 20th century art – both local and international; spanning editions, drawings, paintings and sculptures. Our featured global artists include Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Henry Moore, Henri Matisse, Jim Dine, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, while artists of local heritage include Deborah Bell, William Kentridge, Norman Catherine, Robert Hodgins, Walter Battiss, Sam Nhlengethwa, and others.

At The White House Gallery we encourage collectors to buy artworks that they appreciate for aesthetic reasons. However, in the current art market, we also believe that carefully acquired ‘blue-chip’ art can serve as a safe haven for collectors’ capital. It is beneficial to be aware, in this regard, that the key aspect of a ‘blue-chip’ artwork or artist is not the opinion of the collector, a critic, or a fellow artist, but rather the demand for and resale value of the blue-chip piece in question.

Examining a blue chip

One of the founders of the distinctive Pop Art movement, Andy Warhol, has largely dominated 20th century art. He is most renowned for his portrayals of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, his iconic Campbell’s soup cans, and his Coca-Cola bottles, and his work can be found in corporate and private collections worldwide. Warhol was one of the first contemporary artists to use extensive silk-screening; a medium he extended into a metaphor for contemporary society and its abundance, industrialisation, and the conflicting desire to be both innovative and uniform.

The abundance of his Warhol’s on the global market, thanks to their deliberately ‘semi-mass-produced’ methodology, has affected neither their popularity nor the public demand. For instance, Mick Jagger Print F&S 11.141 sold at Sotheby’s New York for $30 000 USD in 2005 and at Bonham’s New York for $65 000 USD in 2017.

blue chip art

Because Warhol’s art is so admired and so collectible, it’s little wonder that he’s the world’s 2nd top-selling artist (with over $1.58 billion of work sold), after Picasso. His price record is $105 million, but – importantly – much of his work remains affordable.

A unique visual experience

Until our next newsletter, remember that the goal of The White House Gallery is to provide art enthusiasts, established and new collectors, interior decorators, and browsers with an unrivalled visual art experience. This is why we specialise in bringing you amazing international art, while offering the work of top local artists.

Contact us any time on 011 268 2115, for the best professional advice on starting a new collection of art or adding a unique piece to your existing collection.

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