Andrew Kay: Hang it all

The recent disaster at home with ceilings falling in and the like, meant that I had to take all of the art off the walls. Now for those of you with a few pictures this might not seem like such a chore, but for me it was a mammoth task. My acquisitive nature means that much of our flat is well hung, floor to ceiling (had we got one) in some places.

The collection has grown over the years, fuelled for a great part by my previous career as a commissioning art director in London’s publishing world. I have some fine examples of 20th century illustration, some very good fine art prints and a decent number of original paintings and drawings too.

The collecting bug has stayed with me too, I have ceramics, old and new, and a bizarre collection of antique cutlery, which I hasten to add does not hang on the wall but lives in a plan chest and comes out for special occasions.

Collecting the real thing, as opposed to cheap reproductions masquerading as fine art, need not be an expensive hobby. Over the years I have bought from galleries and directly from artists. I have even picked up bargains at boot fairs, antique fairs and markets.

But by far the best opportunity to buy quality art has to be at one of Brighton’s excellent Artists Open House events – and this year’s festival season is now upon us.

Taking place throughout the Brighton Festival period at weekends, these home- based shows are great fun. Oh I know I take the mickey sometimes, dissing the quantity of Victoria sponge cake and dream catchers that one might encounter on the way. But on the whole the quality is there to be found – and often at prices that I would simply describe as affordable.

I find the best way to view is to choose a trail and plan a day based around a local pub that offers good food. Start the morning at a sensible time, stop for a bit and to recuperate from the walking (trails are best done on foot), and then continue with the promise of tea and a slice of that ubiquitous cake as a final reward.

There are few other tips worth remembering too. Whilst a few places will have the facility to pay by card most will not. Be prepared, take cash or dig out that long lost cheque book.

Remember that quite a few houses now will be showing the work of artists who will not be there. Accept that the house owner will not be able to negotiate a deal on behalf of an exhibitor but do leave your details so they can be passed on. And remember that the prices asked usually reflect the fact that there is no or a very small amount of commission included. If you were to try and buy the same work in a gallery you might expect to pay up to 30 per cent more on top, perhaps even more than that!

Some work will be available to take away on the day but others may have to be left until the end of the festival. If you are here just for a day then you need to negotiate how the art will finally be given to you.

My top tip is to have fun. Some houses will offer delightful extras that you may not expect. I have had an excellent tea on the Newhaven Trail, tasted delicious South American food in Hove and had my portrait drawn in a Manga style by a very sweet Japanese lady. Funnily enough, a child watching as she drew kept on asking here to add more wrinkles. “You’re making him look to young” he cried. I smiled sweetly as I tripped him.

Brighton and Hove Artists Open Houses, 4–26 May across the city and beyond
www.aoh.org.uk