The art boom is no passing phase. You can churn out record-breaking returns by investing in that prized collection. This is an asset for the long term.

Given the current exposure that Indian art is receiving, the projected turnover of the market will hold its ground, and further expand over the next decade. The auction market has generated an estimated turnover of Rs 715 crore in 2020 as against Rs 710 crore in 2019.

It is safe to expect an increment in prices, given the steady growth in demand and the limited supply of quality artwork. Investment in art as an asset with long-term tangible value and as an instrument to hedge against in?ation, has done exceptionally well. Needless to say, the Indian art auction market stood its ground despite the pandemic. You could well consider last year’s world record established for the most expensive modern Indian painting as a validating point.

In fact, VS Gaitonde continues to rule the roster, considering that it was his untitled work from 1995 that previously held the record. Depending on the size of the painting, his work has been selling in the range of Rs 5-30 crore. In 2020, Gaitonde’s painting from the year 1974 superseded his 2015 auction record at a hammer price of Rs 32 crore. This meant it fetched an overall Rs 36.8 crore, including premium.

Plan Your Asset

As an investment proposition, art is a genuine contender for any sophisticated asset planning strategy. Good art will always garner demand and the prices of masterpieces by seminal artists will remain high. The very perception of investment in art is considered visionary and often fused with pre-emptive gestures. As per our research on the market’s performance, we can expect a 10 per cent year-on-year growth of Rs 780 crore in 2021. Having a work of art, with an unmatched aesthetic value that appreciates with time, is indeed an asset. Therefore, rather than focusing on short-term gains, it is imperative to perceive art as a viable long-term investment. With the market presenting an encouraging prospect, this is the ideal entry point to invest in Indian art. Its stint with undervaluation is a matter of the past.