Building Your Art Collection in 2025: What to Look For

THE GROOVE

Welcome to the 214th issue of The Groove.

I am Maria Brito, an art advisor, curator, and author based in New York City.

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The art world is buzzing with innovation, bold voices, and the unexpected. It’s massively bloated too. There are too many artists and too many galleries. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting, this year is all about embracing work that pushes boundaries, tells compelling stories, and offers a fresh perspective. From emerging talent redefining what art can be to established names taking daring new turns, the landscape is brimming with opportunities to build a collection that’s both meaningful and enduring. Remember these last two words when buying art.

Art collecting is about taking chances and getting out of your comfort zone. Throughout history, great artists have created what might be called “disruptive artworks” - those that defy easy rules of taste. These pieces often unsettle viewers or challenge societal norms, making them slow to be embraced despite their undeniable brilliance. Instead of offering instant appeal, they demand thought, provoke debate, and ultimately redefine what we consider art. If something doesn’t speak to you right away but sparks a reaction in you, make sure to follow that lead.

I have already argued that in the vast sea of contemporary art, it’s hard to single out one masterpiece. There are, however, many hundreds of wonderful artists at all stages in their careers and at all price points. The premise to be thinking about is: what is their contribution to art and art history? Are they making things that are moving us forward or just copying what was done in the past? Or worse, copying what’s being done now by a peer?

Besides embracing a mix of mediums that goes beyond painting, including sculpture, photography and works on paper, your collection should evolve with you and with the times.

Here’s what to look for in 2025:

Look at a lot of art. Look at pictures in books. Go to museums and galleries. All the time, whenever you can. If you encounter a piece of art that you want to buy, ask yourself: Have I seen anything like this before? If the answer is no, you may be witnessing innovation. Think about composition, color, form, technique and narratives that don't echo trends or established styles.

When Jean-Michel Basquiat broke into the art scene in 1980 at the Times Square Show and later in 1981 at the New York/New Wave at PS1, he blended street art, African diasporic history, and historical art references that created a visual language entirely his own. New York gallerist Annina Nosei took note and gave Basquiat a basement to paint in large scale the works that would eventually sell out in his first solo show with her. Nosei saw Basquiat’s raw, street-level energy while addressing race, power, and identity in ways that were both personal and universal. Quite a confrontational and unusual style for the established elite of art collectors of the time.

While there won’t ever be another Basquiat, who is now making art you have never seen before?

Artists with a sense of urgency often feel compelled to respond to current events, creating work that captures immediate emotional or societal truths. Their art demands to be felt and can be unsettling.

For example, Rashid Johnson’s “Anxious” and “Bruise” painting series, which he has been exploring since 2014, depict distressed faces drawn with expressive gestures. They grapple with themes of fear, uncertainty, and collective anxiety. Johnson captures the psychological toll of modern life, particularly for marginalized communities, making these works resonate deeply in today’s turbulent social and political climate.

Some art can be pretty to the eye but woefully empty. Innovation isn't just about how something looks; it's also about ideas. Pay attention to the artist's concepts, narratives, or philosophies. Newness often arises when an artist challenges how we think about art, identity, or the world itself.

While the medium of photography has been trashed by the advent of the smartphone camera and Instagram, it is undeniable that Cindy Sherman’s depth of concept and execution challenges concepts of identity, gender roles, and representation. By using herself as the subject, she questions the construction of identity in media and society.

Sherman’s seminal series Untitled Film Stills (1977-1980) features 69 black-and-white portraits of Sherman, who transforms herself with makeup, props, and costumes into characters that seem plucked from classic Hollywood movies, European cinema, and film noir. There’s a small-town ingénue, a femme fatale, a housewife. The series interrogates how media shapes and reinforces societal roles for women while Sherman exposes their constructed nature, encouraging viewers to question the authenticity of these depictions. Her work transcends portraiture, turning the lens on societal expectations and cultural constructs.

Art that feels weird or uncomfortable often holds the greatest potential to captivate, challenge, and endure. These works demand attention because they defy expectations, forcing us to confront something we might otherwise avoid. Embracing the strange and unsettling is a vital part of appreciating and collecting art.

In a world saturated with images, art that feels offbeat or disorienting forces you to stop and look longer. That pause is where its power lies. Francis Bacon’s grotesque but mesmerizing figures evoke both fascination and discomfort, compelling viewers to wrestle with their emotional response.

Art that makes you uneasy often digs into uncomfortable truths about society, history, or ourselves. It pushes past politeness to reveal deeper, often unspoken realities. Kara Walker’s silhouettes confront viewers with the brutal legacies of slavery, juxtaposing beauty with horror to spark essential conversations.

Known for his provocative humor, our banana man Maurizio Cattelan, creates sculptures and installations that are as absurd as they are thought-provoking. His works blend satire with discomfort, often challenging notions of good taste.

It’s hard to know at the beginning of an artist's career if they will stick with their practices for life. You have to look for people who have a relentless dedication to their craft. Genius artists are often obsessive, willing to live for their work despite the challenges. This passion often results in a singular vision that can't be replicated.

Look for example at Yayoi Kusama’s lifelong immersion in her work, despite her struggles with mental health, hallucinations and voluntarily living in a Tokyo psychiatric facility in 1977. Each day, she works alongside a team of assistants in her studio located just across the street, returning to the facility in time for dinner. She’s 95 years old and has been covering the world with polka dots and pumpkins for 70 years.

Kusama’s paintings and sculptures, while iconic, aren’t always within reach for everyone. That’s why mid-career artists are so fascinating to explore. The middle of a career (20-30 years for someone who started in their 20s) is often a messy, dynamic stage.

Think about Mickalene Thomas, Eddie Martinez, Katherine Bernhardt, Erik Parker. These artists are no longer the hot newcomers, nor have they reached the exalted status of blue-chip masters. Many have stepped back from traditional gallery representation after decades of working with established dealers, while others are taking bold leaps in their evolution. This group is frequently overlooked, making them an undervalued treasure trove for collectors who prioritize discovery and substance over fleeting trends or social clout.

Collecting art in 2025 is about more than acquiring beautiful objects; it's about curating a personal narrative, embracing bold ideas, and investing in work that challenges and inspires.

This is the year to trust your instincts, explore the unfamiliar, and engage with artists who are redefining the boundaries of creativity. Whether you’re drawn to emerging talent, timeless masterpieces, or conceptual provocations, let your collection reflect your values, passions, and curiosity. After all, the most meaningful art isn’t just what you hang on your walls, it's what stays with you long after you’ve seen it and still looks fresh many decades into the future.

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TEDX TALK

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