Is Wood Art Niche Or Mainstream Art?
How valuable is Wood Art within the broader art market? Some have considered wood to be an alternative art form, this is an error.
While it may not be as mainstream as painting, art with wood is among the most early arts ever created. It existed long before canvas and paint and still is a force within the market.
The issue of value is what comes to mind when considering Wood Art. I wish to take a look at what is a real investment over common decoration.
Long Term Wood Art Investment
The most valuable pieces of Wood Art will often be pieces of function. This can range from furniture to carved decorative pieces.
Typically the craftsman made furniture will be most sought after and the easiest to sell. In the art world these are not always considered art. Rather it is furniture.
Decorative Wood Art comes in many shapes and forms. It can range from panel art to carved or “sculpted” free standing art.
Here is where you begin to tap into what real Wood Art is. These items can still possess a function. Box art is merely one example.
We need to look into what exactly makes these pieces an investment for the long term.
Type Of Wood Used In Wood Art
The type or kind of wood used in Wood Art is absolutely critical. In some cases the wood can be worth more than the creation. How exotic the species and and selected lumber is dictates this.
Wood artists rarely use generic lumber. We seek to create art from what either cannot be found elsewhere, or what is exceptionally beautiful.
When a buyer is looking at this kind of art consideration must be given to the wood as a factor for value.
Value is determined beyond appearance. Texture of the wood by its feel will play a critical role as well.
Type Of Wood Carving Used In Wood Art
I have more detailed articles concerning wood carving and its types. The type of carving used within the Wood Art will clearly dictate value.
The key factors to recognize is the difference between 2d, 2.5d, and 3d carving. Each will require a certain amount of skill and expertise in the art creation process.
Free standing carved or more sculpted type pieces that are life like representational art will be at a premium. Costs here may be quite high, yet they also retain the highest value for long term investment.
Machined Art Compared To Hand Carved Wood Art
Machined art will be considerably cheaper. The machining process is normally done with something like a cnc mill. Nevertheless there is something to note here about the process.
In the Wood Art we see today nearly all artists use machining to some degree. Simply put it saves time and reduces costs to allow it to be more affordable.
When looking at Wood Art as an investment it may be a good idea to contact the artist and ask them about the process. Some rely upon the wood alone to generate its value while using 100% machining.
Others use machining to rough in the piece to then finish with hand carving. The roughing in of the art speeds the finishing reducing the time required but allows for a hand finished cut.
There are still wood artists out there which create Wood Art in the purist way. Nevertheless truly hand cut and hand carved art is the highest premium and fewer will be willing to spend on this.
Artists who perform true hand carving will normally have two lines of art. One will be a combination of machined and hand carving. The second will be purely hand carved.
In this way the artist can provide services with varied degrees of value to their clients. In terms of long term value each are tied to the artists name, the wood used, and the finished work determining the outcome.
Wood Art Compared To Painting Or Sculpting
The benefit of Wood Art is that it is more resilient to elements. Natural light itself can break down the surface of a painting over time.
Wood is more affected by humidity and moisture. While natural light will impact it with enough time, this is not its greatest element of impact.
Sculpting can depend heavily upon the materials used. Clay will be impacted very differently from stone by various elements.
In terms of durability it would be stone and then wood which would survive the longest. Valuable paintings should be protected through the use of things like UV film on windows, with wood these are less needed.
Wood Color Changes Across Time
Where paintings can fade with light and time, wood color will patina. This is actually desirable. The process deepens and enriches the color of the wood.
Understand that his process requires that the wood not be in direct sunlight. Constant exposure to sunlight will not yield desirable results but can have a bleaching effect on the surface.
Stains which are used as part of the Wood Art process can also alter with time. While some stains can fade, quality pieces can be touched up with relative ease or cleaned to restore its state.
Popularity Of Wood Art Across Time
The mid 1900’s saw some decline within popularity for Wood Art. This was an anomaly which would be short lived.
Through the 1800’s it remained as a prominent way for craftsmen and artisans to display ornate work. This mindset would begin to return as we moved into the 21st century.
There are differences today in how Wood Art is viewed from that of history. There are fewer artisans of this kind within our present time for starters.
Modern machining and technology has impacted the world in ways no one could have envisioned. Other arts are likewise facing revolutionary change in how their art is perceived, wood is no different.
Despite these changes a return to Wood Art is desired. It offers a way to break free of the commercialized merchandise that can be found. People once again want unique and personalized styles.
It is here that an artisan sets themselves apart in ways that painting or sculpting is challenged. Combining ideas of art and function offers a blend of appeal that fits needs as well as aesthetics.
From 2000 to present day the increased desire for what wood offers has been substantial. It does not appear to be waning anytime soon.
If one is looking for long term value and a unique way to add art to their home, few other options exist that can hold this kind of beauty. The oldest art of the world is still among the most sought after.