💰 Collecting Art Versus Decorating

I had a small (and slightly uncomfortable) realization recently.

I found myself hesitating to openly love certain artworks… simply because they were affordable and not endorsed by the “right” galleries.

That pause told me everything.

Somewhere along the way, I had started outsourcing my taste to the market.

Here’s the truth most people don’t say out loud:

👉 The art world operates on two very different logics
 • Collecting = capital allocation, downside protection, signaling
• Decorating = personal enjoyment, emotion, lived experience

Both are valid. But confusing the two? That’s where things get messy.

Because once you do, you risk asking the wrong question:
 “Is this good art?”
 …instead of
 “Do I actually like this?”

And the irony?

Add a few zeros to the price, place the same piece in a top gallery, and suddenly the narrative changes.

Same artwork. Different validation.

In this week’s newsletter, I unpack:

•  Why “reputable” often really means “financially validated” 
•  The uncomfortable snobbery (including my own) we rarely admit 
•  And why taking a chance on unknown artists might be the most rational—and enjoyable—move 

💭 Maybe the real flex isn’t owning what everyone agrees is valuable…
 …but knowing what you love before the market tells you.

#Art #ArtCollecting #ContemporaryArt #Investing #Taste #CreativeEconomy #PersonalPerspective

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

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