The 6 Secrets to Gifting Art They’ll Actually Love
When it comes to gifts, art is high-risk, high-reward – this expert advice will help you get it right.
There are a few safe bets when it comes to gifts: a candle, a bottle of wine, a chic notebook. The person you’re buying for will probably really like it – and use it – but will they treasure it for years? Perhaps not.
Then, there’s the holy grail of gift-giving – something handmade and one-of-a-kind, with just the right balance of sentiment and style while still reflecting the recipient’s taste. It’s a tall order, but if you get it right, you’ve turned a present into a keepsake.
As the Director of Affordable Art Fair Melbourne, Georgia Huestis explains, “An artist has devoted their time to creating the piece, and the act of gifting an artwork acts as a beautiful marker of time. Traditional gifts can often end up squirreled away, whereas art soon adorns the walls or halls of your home and becomes part of the recipient’s daily life and ritual.” It’s this timeless quality that makes the gift of art so special. Georgia continues, “Every time you see the piece, it serves as a reminder of your connection with the gift-giver or special occasion.”
With that in mind, if you're keen to replace 'safe bet' with 'forever favourite', Georgia’s advice breaks it down into six easy moves.
Artwork: Melanie Vugich, The Enchantment of an Early Autumn Gallery: Sarah Birtles Art + Advice
1. Pay attention to their world, not yours
You know that idiom ‘art is subjective’? It's true, and in the case of gift-giving, the only taste that matters is theirs. It’s easy to fall in love with something you’d want in your own home. Instead, tune in to their taste.
Approaching gift-giving in this way might even be an opportunity to notice new things about your loved one. “The best way to get it right is to pay attention to the small details. Think about the colours they gravitate towards, the mood of their home, even the little details like the books on their shelves or the clothes they wear,” advises Georgia. These subtle cues can guide you toward art that feels authentic to their preferences. As Georgia suggests, “When you focus on what already inspires them, you’re far more likely to choose something that feels authentic to their world rather than just your own.”
Artwork: Joe Blundell, Sunlight on Shutters 2
Gallery: Greenbridge Gallery
Featuring the Oatmeal Heavy Linen Bed Cover
2. Look for clues in conversations
Beyond these visual markers of taste, the best hints can come from what makes people sparkle when they speak. “There are many ways you can better understand someone’s art style; it isn’t just what you see but what people talk about and light up over,” says Georgia.
Listening closely can reveal what kind of art will truly resonate. “Maybe they’re always reminiscing about the ocean or can’t stop talking about travel – or perhaps they have a favourite fruit, and you look for an artist who loves painting jewel-like pomegranates. Identify a passion or colour palette, and this can point you towards artworks that capture that feeling.”
“Even casual conversations about favourite places, hobbies or memories can be surprisingly revealing. When you listen as much as you look, you uncover what kind of art will really resonate with them.”
Artwork: Fiona Smith, Flamboyance Flamingo
Gallery: Sarah Birtles Art + Advice
3. Don’t overlook scale
One of the biggest mistakes gift-givers make is ignoring the space that the piece will have to live in. “When buying an artwork as a gift it is important to consider the scale of the recipient’s home. If the recipient doesn’t have room for a large-scale piece, a smaller, more intimate painting or sculpture that can be propped up on a shelf may well be more suitable,” says Georgia.
Don’t just consider work that will adorn walls, there’s art for every corner of the home from statement vessels on coffee tables to stoneware pieces in kitchen nooks.
Artwork: Nell Symonds, Savona, 52cm w 42cm, Oil on birch board
Gallery: The Toowoomba Gallery
4. Support Emerging Artists
Buying from emerging talent means gifting something one-of-a-kind while also supporting an artist at the beginning of their career. Win-win.
If you’re not sure where to start, there are curated programs and fairs designed for first-time buyers, especially for those wanting to add work by talented early-career artists. For example, Affordable Art Fair has a program called Discover: Young Talent, an exhibition of artworks for sale by unrepresented artists under the age of 35. Georgia explains that the goal is to “Highlight artists who are creating fresh artwork that we believe deserves a real spotlight.”
You don’t need to spend a ton of money or invest in a particularly well-known artist to nail a gift. Georgia stresses that, “When it comes to standing the test of time, it really doesn’t matter whether an artist is emerging or established. What matters most is whether the piece resonates with the person you’re buying for. If it feels like it belongs in their world, it will always hold its meaning. That’s what makes art timeless.”
Artworks (from left to right): Llael McDonald, Summer Fruits, Penelope Boyd, Love Song Galleries (from left to right): The Toowoomba Gallery, Gallery Alchemy
5. Ask the Right Questions
There's no art degree or insider knowledge required to choose a meaningful piece. Simple questions like, “What inspired this work?” or “Can you tell me about the artist?” often unlock the story behind the piece – adding another layer of connection.
“I also love asking about the medium because once you understand how something was made, you often see it in a whole new light,” says Georgia. “And if you’re unsure how it might fit into someone’s home, gallerists are brilliant at giving practical advice too.”
Exhibitions, art fairs and markets like Affordable Art Fair offer a relaxed, welcoming space to ask questions, learn from passionate gallerists, and walk away with not just an artwork, but a story to share as well.
Artwork: Gelbell, Violet
Gallery: Gallery Alchemy
Featuring the Oatmeal 100% French Flax Linen Tablecloth
6. Trust Your Instincts
At the end of the day, gifting art is about connection, not credentials. If you see a piece and immediately think of the person you’re buying for, that’s a strong sign it’s the right one. Don’t overthink it – follow your heart. Georgia reminds us that “Art isn’t meant to be intimidating, it’s meant to be enjoyed!”
“I still have artworks I was given years ago that feel just as special today,” says Georgia. “You don’t outgrow art the way you might with other gifts, they grow with you and that’s the magic of art. I was gifted an abstract painting of a shell by emerging NSW artist Louis Wayling on the birth of my daughter. Every time I see it, I smile and think of my friends who surprised me with the piece by an artist they knew I really admired.”
“I always encourage people to ask questions, have a chat with the gallerists, and most importantly, follow their heart. The most meaningful gifts spark connection and that’s what art is all about.”
Photography by Dave Kulesza
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