Why Some Types of Art Speak to You More Than Others

THE GROOVE

Welcome to the 215th issue of The Groove.

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

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Have you ever walked into a collector’s home and thought, “Wow, this person really loves abstract art!” while another collector’s walls are bursting with Renaissance-style figurative works? Or maybe you know someone who doesn’t stop at one style: they collect sculptures, photography, neon art, and even NFTs. Or maybe you are that person?

Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of fascinating people, helping them build and refine their art collections. As I get to know each collector, I introduce works I know they’ll love; pieces that resonate with their tastes and passions. But I also gently nudge them to explore beyond their comfort zones. Over time, many start to embrace new styles, broadening their perspectives and adding unexpected depth to their collections.

So, what drives these wildly different tastes? Is it personality, psychology, or pure instinct? It’s a little bit of everything:

For some collectors, the joy of art lies in not having all the answers. These are the people who adore Mark Rothko’s fields of color or Helen Frankenthaler’s splashes of paint. Why?

I dug several studies conducted by psychologists and researchers; it turns out that abstract art lovers tend to have a high tolerance for ambiguity. They’re comfortable with open-endedness and love the freedom of interpreting a piece in their own way.

Those who possess the trait of “Openness to Experience” - that is, people who are highly imaginative and curious - are drawn to abstract art. It’s like a mental playground; they find meaning in the undefined.

As a subcategory within abstraction, collectors who are into Cubist paintings often enjoy the challenge of deciphering the hidden patterns and fragmented forms on the canvas. They relish the mental exercise of resolving visual puzzles, wondering, “Is that an eye or a nose?” These are the kinds of people who thrive on complexity, whether it’s solving intricate problems at work or tackling actual puzzles in their downtime.

Similarly, studies show that individuals with high sensation-seeking tendencies, those who crave novelty and intense experiences, are more likely to gravitate toward surreal and abstract art over more straightforward, representational styles. For these collectors, the unpredictable and unconventional hold an irresistible allure.

Now, figurative art collectors are a whole different breed. These are the people who want to see “something,” whether it’s a portrait by John Currin or a group scene by Eugène Delacroix. They’re moved by art that tells a clear story or reflects reality.

Interestingly, one of the studies arrived at the conclusion that figurative art collectors often crave clarity and a strong narrative. In psychological parlance, they have a “Need for Cognitive Closure”. They want to know what the piece is about, and they love recognizing elements of humanity or history in the work.

This group is often deeply moved by art that mirrors their values, culture, or experiences. A figurative painting can feel like a conversation between the artist and the collector.

These collectors aren’t here for ambiguity, they’re here for emotional connection and familiarity. A painting of a person, place, or moment grounds them. For these collectors, every piece tells a story, and their walls feel like a gallery of personal memoirs.

Then we have the conceptual art crowd, the ones who love art that makes you think. A neon sign quoting philosophy? A pile of bricks arranged as a metaphor for societal collapse? Yes, please!

These folks thrive on intellectual stimulation. They’re drawn to works that require effort to unpack and love when a piece challenges their worldview.

This group is usually highly educated; they enjoy deep thinking and problem-solving, making conceptual art their perfect match. For them, it’s less about aesthetics and more about ideas.

Conceptual art often relies on context and mediation, and these collectors are the ones who’ve read every gallery plaque and artist manifesto. These are the people who enjoy spending a lot of time on dense texts about their favorite artists.

If you’ve ever been mesmerized by a Donald Judd stack or a Barbara Kruger painting, welcome to the conceptual art club.

And then there are the collectors who want it all. They’re the ones whose homes are a glorious mix of abstraction, figuration, sculpture, photography, and digital art. So, what’s their secret?

These collectors don’t limit themselves. They love exploring every corner of the art world, finding beauty and meaning across genres and styles. They might buy a Lucy Bull painting because it feels fresh and empowering one day and snag a Calder mobile because it sparks joy the next.

For them, collecting is about the chase, the excitement of finding something new and unexpected.

Their collections are like treasure troves full of surprises, stories, and a whole lot of personality. These are truly the most interesting collections to live with and to look at. (And to build.)

At the end of the day, art collecting is curating your own personal museum of you. Whether you’re drawn to abstract dreamscapes, figurative epics, brain-bending conceptual pieces, or a delightful mishmash of everything, your collection is your story, told one piece at a time.

So, what kind of collector are you? The bold minimalist? The narrative weaver? The philosophical puzzle-solver? Or the “why-not-have-it-all” adventurer? There’s no right answer, just the thrill of falling in love with art that speaks to you, surprises you, or maybe even makes you laugh. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

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TEDX TALK

Have you already watched my TEDx Talk: “NFTs, Graffiti and Sedition: How Artists Invent The Future”?

I share three lessons I have learned from artists that always work for anyone in their careers. Watch it here.