How to Start Your Own Art Collection and Shake-Up an Industry, with Spacey Studios' Kate Hoffman
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Castbox
The world of art collecting hasn't always been welcoming to outsiders, unless you’ve got a fat pocketbook and the right people on your contact list. And it’s been that for centuries. But today’s guest on Verishop’s shoppable podcast thinks that more people should be able to get their hands on work from notable or up-and-coming artists. That’s why Kate Hoffman started Spacey Studios -- so folks like you and I can get our hands on a piece from a professional artist with the knowledge that the work is significant.
From the ancient Egyptians to the Italian Renaissance, patrons were instrumental in designating certain artists or work as important. To put it simply: Rich citizens or government officials commissioned or sponsored works of art as a display of wealth or power, and the artist gained in stature.
Then in the past two centuries, the market has largely been controlled by galleries. They function as a discerning middleman, deciding which artists’ work is in vogue, how much the pieces should be worth and whom they choose to sell them to. So if you wanted to start your own unique art collection but didn't know where to start, you're not alone. It’s a world that’s out of reach for most of us.
With Spacey Studios, Kate has been able to take the best parts of the old guard -- an eye for talented artists and a passion for beautiful work -- and combine that with a direct-to-consumer business model that keeps the costs low. So you can get museum-quality, limited-edition art for your home at an accessible price point. And the pieces are stunning.
Kate Hoffman: “The fashion industry has done such a great job at understanding how style is a form of personal expression. And I think if we can do that with the art world, so many more people can connect to it.”
In an exclusive chat with Verishop's Alex Barinka, Kate opened up about how she used her own frustration when trying to buy art for her home and channeled it into starting Spacey Studios. She'll tell you which of the artists whose work is sold on Verishop has blown up in popularity recently -- with their work selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
And Kate and Alex have a frank conversation about how opaque industries can unfairly disadvantage the under-represented and suppress talented artists and makers.
Alex Barinka: "I also have a sneaky suspicion that in an opaque world it's not necessarily as easy for underrepresented people to be seen. I mean, we're in a moment now where I think people are looking across at all industries and saying, `Oh, if it's this kind of insular club, then some points of view are just not going to be seen or heard.'"
Kate Hoffman: "Well, the fine art world, like so many other industries has been dominated by men for most of time. And so you see that effect not only when it comes to 70% of art directors being male, but also 70% of artists being represented in galleries being male."
"And the reason that that's in particular shocking to me is because I learned that 80% of art students are female. And so the fact that the statistics of who's actually has their work represented in galleries is so weighted in the opposite direction felt wrong."
Hear the full conversation on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Castbox
Then shop the pieces discussed in the episode:
Kate Hoffman: "When I look at this piece I find myself taking an audible ‘sighhhhhh.’ I love how gazing into this artwork is an opportunity to journey through a quiet oasis. It invites us to visit places that feel grounded in reality yet inspired by a dream.
"Each piece of the Verishop collection from artist Delta Venus -- My Mountains, The Falls, and Date Palms in Carro -- inspire us to become explorers within our own imaginations."
Kate Hoffman: “This piece has us all figured out. It’s soft, powerful, romantic, confident, inquisitive, sassy… all at the same time. There is a true balance of strength and vulnerability in this figure’s pose.
"I think the beauty in this, is that it gives us courage to accept our own imperfections, and in turn, it inspires us to find our self confidence. I think it’s incredible that through super-minimalist line work, this artist can convey such a layered message.”
Kate Hoffman: “This Artist, Luisa Salas, takes everyday moments to the root of their origin, pushing the limits of abstraction with her colorful and super dynamic works!
"This 3-piece series on Verishop explores the different ways we indulge in calming moments, at different times of the year. From `Breakfast in Bed' in the winter, `Warmth' in the summer, to `Costa Bonita' in the fall... I absolutely love how collecting the series means bringing a full year of peace into your home.
"Right now, I find myself especially pulled to `Warmth' as I miss moments outside in the fresh air! When looking at the piece, I can almost feel those rays of sun shining through the canvas, and I feel like I’m indulging in the sun.”
Kate Hoffman: “You may know Deun Ivory from her work with Glossier, VSCO, Apple, Nike, or her brand 'Black Girl in OM.'"
"Deun is truly taking over the world, and I’m so thrilled we are a part of her incredible Artistic resume. I love how her illustrations for Spacey remind us to prioritize the things in life that bring us happiness. Deun is truly a master at empowering women, and more specifically women of color, to feel their own beauty and brilliance through the art she creates.”