"Buy something you can live with and love" is the advice from Downlands Art Show curator Evan Hollis to potential investors.

Mr Hollis said he was confident this year's show would be the best despite the changing face of art, particularly investment art. He said the show would also offer plenty of variety for younger enthusiasts.

Mr Hollis said traditionally, people looking to invest in art would go for an established name and a classic landscape, still life or portrait-style piece, but that was fast changing. He saw the investment piece he bought for his daughter years ago on that formula had barely increased in value, while other, lesser-known artists had produced works that would have shown a much better return. But at the end of it all, the main thing was to choose something you enjoyed looking at. 

Mr Hollis said there was no shortage of incredible pieces for this year's exhibition ready to be snapped up by discerning enhusiasts and investors. From a quirky collection of pop-onspired ceramics - think Astroboy with a tea pot tummy - to stunning photographs, modern art and traditional pieces across all mediums, there is something for all tastes. "This year we're working with Graham Radcliffe's Pheonix Sculpture Garden and there are pieces so big we can't have them physically at the show, but people can look at them on the screen and buy them through our catalogue."

"We've also got a beautiful Dickerson arriving Wednesday, sculptures from Michael Nelson and Ian Waldron and 20 examples of the finest English Morecroft ceramics."

The Downlands Art Show Gala Opening will be on Friday night from 6pm and the show is open from 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday. For gala tickets, visit downlandsart.com.

- Article courtesy of The Chronicle Newpaper, Tuesday 6 September 2016

See link to the exhibition here.