Why buy art from an art gallery?

Buying a piece of original art from Tyger Gallery is a unique and rewarding experience.

While online platforms offer convenience and accessibility, there’s nothing like the experience of purchasing art from bricks-and-mortar art gallery like Tyger. In this post, I want to take a look at the few of the reasons why you might want to take a visit to Tyger Gallery instead of just ‘adding to cart’ on a website (although obviously we love those of you who do add to cart on the site!).

1. The beauty of seeing a curated selection

Art galleries like Tyger are more than just shops selling art. The work in a gallery has been carefully chosen - not just because it’s work that might appeal to people, but because it’s work that works together.

When you see a show at an art gallery you’re seeing a carefully thought-through selection of artistic styles, genres and mediums that complement and work together to give you an experience.

Tyger, like other art galleries, works hard to bring together artists whose work, while quite different, allows you to look at similar topics in a range of different styles.

Take landscapes, for an example: as I write this, Tyger has the beautiful and quite traditional in style ‘After the storm’ by Elizabeth Burton, alongside Woman of the South’s captivating modern Indigenous art painting ‘Mother Earth & Father Sky’ and Tarli Glover’s gorgeous semi-abstract ‘Hills, plains, and distant ranges’.

They are three paintings which are very different in style, but they all reflect on the same subject - what it means to the artists, how they represent it in their work, and the colours and palette they use to emphasise elements of that landscape that are important to them.

That kind of experience is hard to repeat online, and it gives you the opportunity to think about how you want to see landscapes or other topics represented on your walls.

2. Connecting with artists

Tyger works closely with the artists we showcase to create opportunities for gallery visitors to connect directly with those artists. By adding yourself to Tyger Gallery’s mailing list, you’ll get invites to our show openings and our regular ‘Meet the Artists’ events. These events are a relaxed and informal way to meet the artists involved in the shows, talk to them about their work, hear more about the inspiration behind them, and find out more about their artistic journeys. These interactions can provide invaluable insights into the creative process, inspiration, and the stories behind each piece, deepening your appreciation for the artwork.

3. Expertise and guidance to the art world

Tyger Gallery is staffed by knowledgeable professionals who are art buyers, just like you. We’ve been passionately collecting art for years, so we know what to look for in art, what will work in the space you have, and how to find the right piece based on your preferences and budget.

 4. You are supporting your local community

Art galleries like Tyger play a vital role in nurturing local artists and the local arts community. By purchasing art from Tyger, you're contributing to the growth and sustainability of the art ecosystem. That support allows us to continue hosting exhibitions, promote emerging artists, and foster an environment where creativity can thrive.

But more than that, Tyger Gallery is a Yass social enterprise. We don’t exist to make the gallery owner money - we exist to support artists, contribute to the regional arts scene, build and drive tourism to Yass Valley, and support local charities through our commitment to community.

5. Nothing beats seeing art in real life

They say the camera never lies, but when it comes to art a photo rarely shows you the whole picture. However good the photography of art online, seeing that art in person will give you a more in-depth experience and perspective of a piece. We’ve lost count of people who’ve told us they’ve bought a work from an online site then been slightly surprised by the difference in colours, or some details that weren’t obvious from looking at it on a computer screen. 

Plus, when you see it in person you will get to see the brushstrokes, texture, and colour nuances in an immersive experience that cannot be replicated by a photo. And the difference can be significant. Take Uschi Novinc’s brilliant ‘The Lightness of Being’ as an example. The photos on Tyger’s website are great, but when you see it in person you’ll see the deep texture Uschi has used in this work, and the vibrance and contrast she has chosen in its colour palette. It’s beautiful on the website, but breathtaking in real life.

6. Art education: learning and growing

Every time you come to Tyger Gallery it gives you the chance to broaden your artistic horizons, learn about new techniques and styles, and gain insights into the broader art world. That can lead to a deeper understanding of the creative process and a more profound connection with the artworks and artists you choose to bring into your life. 

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Ultimately, there are lots of great things about online art galleries, but the experience of buying art from art galleries is unparalleled. From the carefully curated exhibitions to the direct connections with artists and enriching learning opportunities, Tyger offers a deep and fulfilling way to engage with art, and Tyger Gallery is the home of accessible, affordable art. Plus, by supporting our local community, bying art from galleries becomes a choice that benefits both you and the arts community. So, the next time you see a space on your wall, head down to Tyger and let us help you find the perfect piece.

Martyn Pearce
27 August, 2023

Artist Helen Cattell of Good Hope Pottery talks to people about her work at a Tyger Gallery ‘Meet the Artists’ event.