Four gallery owners provide expert advice on what to put on your walls.

Photos by Evaan Kheraj

Sherri Kajiwara
co-owner of Bjornson Kajiwara Gallery
(1727 West 3rd Avenue, 604-738-3500, www.bjornsonkajiwara.ca )

What’s the style at Bjornson Kajiwara Gallery?
“We represent artists with Canadian experience”¦either from across Canada, or [who] have spent time here. Our gallery style is innovative, multidisciplinary—everything from paintings, photographs, and sculpture to new media—and engaging.”

What advice would you give on buying art for one’s home?
“One should consider acquiring [art] regardless of whether it ”˜fits’ one’s home. The basis of the choices should ideally revolve around art the collector admires and respects. The home environment can be creatively manipulated to integrate the work.”¦Establish a feasible budget for yourself. Most galleries will entertain payment plans.”

Where are the best places to buy art from?
“All galleries should be able to inform a potential purchaser of the origins of the art being considered.”¦All work should be signed by the artist and, when dealing with prints and photographs, edition numbers duly recorded, by the artist.”¦Attend the yearly sales of work by students at art colleges. Prices are affordable, and it is always fun to see what transpires with the career of a young artist.”

Phen Huang
Owner of Foster/White Gallery
(220 3rd Avenue South, Seattle, 206-622-2833; and 1331 5th Avenue, Seattle, 206-538-0100; www.fosterwhite.com )

Huang grew up in Vancouver and graduated from the University of British Columbia. Her interest in the arts began at her family’s art business, the Bau-Xi Galleries in Vancouver (3045 Granville Street) and Toronto.

What’s the style at the Foster/White Galleries?
“Contemporary North American art, including fine-art glass, paintings, stone, and bronze. The gallery tends toward abstract art, though not strictly.”

What advice would you give on buying art for one’s home?
“Buy art that has you fall in love with it. When you live with artwork, you want to enjoy it every day. What to look for is personal and individual—it can be a matter of emotion, intrigue, technique, ideas. Whether the reason is visceral or intellectual, artwork in one’s home is to improve the quality of life there.”

Where are the best places to buy art from?
“We are blessed to have so many great galleries in Seattle and Vancouver. I recommend getting to know artists in your area by going to openings and attending events.”

David Chaperon
Director and co-owner of Gallery Jones
(1725 West 3rd Avenue, 604-714-2216, www.galleryjones.com )

What’s the style at Gallery Jones?
“Gallery Jones exhibits Canadian and international contemporary art. We sell painting, sculpture, and photography, covering abstract to realism and everything in between.”

What advice would you give on buying art for one’s home?
“Visit many galleries. It’s only by looking at a lot of art over time that you will develop your eye and discover your personal taste. Educate yourself, read about art and art history, and pick up some art magazines. Listen to critics, don’t listen to critics.”¦Be adventurous, buy art that moves you. Take your time. Most galleries will let you take a piece home for a few days to see if it works.”

Where are the best places to buy art from?
“I would suggest fine-art galleries or reputable independent dealers. Other sources may be a little risky.”¦Get to know the dealers and utilize their knowledge, ask questions, and ask to see the back-room storage—most galleries have a large inventory of art treasures hidden away.”

Carola Goetze
Onwer and director of the Jem Gallery
(225 East Broadway, 604-879-5366, www.myspace.com/thejemgallery )

What’s the style at the JEM Gallery?
“Lowbrow/outsider art.”

What advice would you give on buying art for one’s home?
“They need to be able to live with the art they buy. It is possible to appreciate many different art forms, but it is another thing when you have it staring at you in your home environment. This is especially important these days when living quarters keep shrinking. Smaller pieces can be great because they are easier to move around and group.”

Where are the best places to buy art from?
“I think the best way to buy art is from the artist directly. Attending the Eastside Culture [Crawl], The Drift [on Main Street], or Swarm are great places to meet and see artists work, often in their own surroundings. Of course, I think it is important to support”¦independent galleries like the JEM, Lucky Red, Chapel Arts, and Hasty Hawk.”¦The Grunt, Gallery Gachet, and the Helen Pitt Gallery are just a few of the artist-run centres that offer diverse programming and art.”