English Arts Council (Arts Council of England) helps art lovers to purchase works by contemporary artists. The program Own Art, it provides interest-free loans, payable over ten months. However, the picture of Francis Bacon (Francis Bacon) way to buy not succeed: the price of works should not exceed 2 thousand pounds.

During the program's existence Own Art (it works with 2004) was issued 14.5 thousand loans. The total cost of purchased in installments exceeds 11.6 million pounds. Recently, the newspaper The Daily Telegraph spoke to some participants in this project.

resident of Darlington Regan Hurley (Regan Hurle, 39 years), who works at a factory auto parts, has a collection that includes two paintings by local artist Lou Harris (Lou Harris), two Estampa pop artist Peter Blake (Peter Blake) and five works of sculptor Mackenzie Thorpe (Mackenzie Thorpe). But first they acquired works of art prints have become known "street artist" Banksy (Banksy). Several years ago, when Banksy was not so well known, his works were worth much less than now, and two works by the artist treated Hurley total of 220 pounds apiece. Later, he sold one of them and rescued as much of 3 thousand. Despite this success, to buy art for the purpose of investment he is not going. But the collecting of "delaying" - Hurley, in particular, plans to buy another product of Peter Blake. In addition, he recently commissioned a portrait of one of his favorite local artists. Through Own Art Hurley can satisfy its growing appetite without any harm to the family budget.

Health workers from the North Leeds, Mike and Susie Hughes (Mike, 54 & Susie Hughes, 46) - are big fans of art "bad boy" of contemporary art by Damien Hirst (Damien Hirst). My cousin Susie even met with the artist: Once upon a time he tasted the fish and potatoes in a diner owned by her parents. Hearst paid one of his animals in formaldehyde. He has never been so famous, but now ... Once the son of Mike and Susie told his teacher IZO that his house is the work of Hurst, who believed him. "Most people mistakenly think that all art is very expensive, that it is accessible to only a few, - says Mike Hughes. - The project therefore Own Art is very important." Through this program, the couple bought two paintings, including engraving of the famous British artist David Hockney (David Hockney). "Life for me - a work of art - said" fine half "couples. - I would rather ride in an old ruin than give up fun to decorate the walls of their remarkable work. In her confession, they already had accumulated works of art by several thousands of pounds - but stop at that Hughes is not collected. "We soon and wallpaper not need: I'm going to curtain off the art of all the walls," - says Susie.

favorite artist, human rights activist from the town of Huddersfield Tassadata Hussein (Tassadat Hussein, 37) - London-based painter Chris Gollon (Chris Gollon). At a collector for more than a dozen of his works. In addition, the collection includes prints Hussein artists such as Craig Eytchison (Craigie Aitchison), Terry Frost, (Terry Frost) and Victor Pesmor (Victor Pasmore). The lawyer has been collecting art for nearly 15 years. He began to buy works of Chris Gollona, while still a student. Since then they have grown in price, but leave them Hussein does not want. "Art is very similar to the jurisprudence, - he said. - And the representatives of art-world, and lawyers speak the language, which may scare the uninitiated. But in fact, all this can be very accessible and understandable ».

53-year-old David Pike (David Pike), engaged in breeding pigs, living in a small town Uolsinghem. He prefers to buy paintings by local artists. His favorite painting, called Severus, was performed by the artist Hewson (Houson). This painting shows a worker, deep in thought. "This work suggests that working people can also be intellectuals, capable of serious thought - he said. - I like it because I do physical labor and at the same time an intellectual." Pike hardly goes on holiday, partly due to the fact that he prefers to spend spare money on works of art. Own Art program allowed him to buy six or seven pictures. «[Own Art] helps to promote the creativity of local artists who work with young galleries. I think it is very important ».

article prepared by Julia Maksimova, AI

Source: telegraph.co.uk , artinvestment.ru