Arts and Culture

Investing in contemporary art: a gallery owner’s guide

Investing in artwork is of course not purely financially motivated, but many investors who are attracted to traditional methods of investment are diversifying due to the higher potential returns from investing in contemporary art. Normally the impetus for purchasing artwork is a combination of financial return coupled with a passion and desire for the artwork, visually as well as part of a growing status symbol. Art is increasingly becoming part of a social lifestyle membership which is exaggerated by the increasing importance of social media in people’s daily lives.   Deloitte Art & Finance Report in 2016 showed that 72% of collectors were primarily motivated by emotional returns, 61% by social returns (being part of a social scene, network of like-minded people), and 64% by financial considerations (investment returns). The average return has been 10.85% per year 1965 – 2016 (Mei Moses Art Index).

Featuring The treasures worth more than their weight in gold

Watchshop has conducted a survey and discovered that 42% of the British Public  'would only consider selling their family heirlooms in times of financial crisis' but if their family heirlooms were made of solid gold, would their worth be as impressive as these? The Watchshop has also compiled a list of both historical artefacts and modern day amenities that are worth more than their weight in gold, with everything from nail polish to 19th-century stamps all making the list, as well as cocktails and locks of late musician's hair.

Featuring London Art Week: Our recommendations

This highly anticipated event will draw in thousands of art enthusiasts from all around the globe over the week. London Art Week focuses on the celebration of 'an array of exceptional art from across the past seven millennia' and will do so by allowing both novices and experts to enjoy 'world class art up close' in over 40 galleries and three leading auction houses; and with everything from impressionist paintings to cocktail master classes and from ancient sculptures to exclusive private tours and dinners - there really is something for everybody. For an exclusive morning, head to the members-only The Groucho Club on 3rd July to take a look at the unrivaled contemporary art collection with Nicky Carter, 'former art director and longtime member of the original arts & media private members club' and will go on an tour of the intimate club nestled in the centre of the bohemian heart of London and will end with an exclusive limited-edition cocktail at the SoHo bar, created by The Groucho Club to celebrate London Art Week.

Featuring Tips and Advice on Art and Antique Buying

How to buy, focusing on negotiating, how to tell if it’s a genuine article and the importance of vetting.

Featuring Luxurious private cinemas in hotels around the world

Why not try an evening with the stars on for size. But if watching a flick in your local multiplex holds little appeal, panic not. The Sybarite has the low-down in on the hottest hotel cinemas around the world. Popcorn at the ready…

Featuring A new way to invest in fine art

The global market was worth more than $45billion last year, a 1.7% annual increase, according to the European Fine Art Foundation Report 2017. Prices have fallen back a little from the peak of July 2015, but are around 15% higher than in the market trough of November 2012 and the market is ‘stable and robust’. The outlook is optimistic. Wealth managers are looking beyond traditional investment products and there is a strong demand from investors – 88% of private offices and 75% of High Net Worth and Ultra High Net Worth individuals want art in their portfolios, according to the 2016 Deloitte Art and Finance Report. However, the market can be daunting to newcomers. It has a reputation for being opaque and the major auction houses charge fees of up to 30%. Global auction house sales fell last year by 18.8% while sales by dealers increased by 20% to $27.9billion; looking more closely at the figures, it turns out the big auction houses conducted more of their business privately, which does nothing for transparency in the market.

Featuring Lights of Soho presents "Be Illuminated" by Papi

Roger Taylor, who goes by the name ‘Papi’, is a self-taught artist working with the medium of light. Beginning his creative career as an actor in New York at Lee Strasbourg Theatre Institute, he then became a creative director for some of New York’s hippest night clubs creating sets for their weekly shows. In recent years, Papi moved to Manchester and set up his own design studio where he uses traditional tools and methods to hand sculpt metal and form a fusion light and art. He has also worked collaboratively with some well know street artists resulting in an international exhibition from London to Tokyo. Papi has had numerous sell out shows in London over the last 2 years and the pieces that he creates are either one-offs or limited to 7 pieces only. For six weeks at Lights of Soho, Papi’s creations will depict the vibrancy and the energies of the area, from the streets of Soho to the gallery.

Featuring Diana: Her fashion story | Kensington Palace exhibition...

From the demure skirt-suits of her first public appearances to that little black dress from her later life. Here we round up our five favourite looks.

Featuring Oscars 2017: The 89th Academy Awards highlights

Here are the Sybarite’s highlights of The Oscars 2017… A number of Oscar-nominees threw their support behind the organisation who first challenged President Donald Trump's travel ban by wearing blue ribbons to the ceremony. Irish-Ethiopian star Ruth Negga, who is up for best actress for her role in Loving, was first on the red carpet and sported the political accessory on her red Valentino dress. As did Karlie Kloss on her white asymmetrical Stella McCartney gown. The blue bow represents the American Civil Liberties Union and is part of their new initiative titled Stand With ACLU. The ACLU was among the first to launch a legal challenge following President Trump's travel ban, which bars people from seven Muslim-majority countries entering America.

Featuring Art exhibitions on show around the world

Featuring Sotheby’s Erotic: Passion & Desire Auction

Where the boundaries between the sensual and the obscene are gloriously blurred. “The erotic is a realm where desire and imagination meet. When you look at a great work of erotic art, you sense a world outside its obvious parameters: a complicit triangulation between the creator, the subject (perhaps more than one) who inspired such intimate expression, and the viewer turned voyeur. There’s a disruptive quality to the best erotica, which filters into your dreams and waking fantasies. It doesn’t just seduce its audience – it transports them without permission,” says Rowan Pelling, a Daily Telegraph columnist known for her eight-year editorship of The Erotic Review and her sex column for GQ, who has written the catalogue introduction for the Sotheby’s Erotic sale.

Featuring The best London art exhibitions to visit

The Sybarite serves up something for every taste with our exhibition guide below…