The Art of Collecting: Art as an Investment

As part of the Abu Dhabi Art Lecture Series, Bassam Freiha Art Foundation hosted The Art of Collecting: Art as an Investment, presented by Jorge Coll. This session offered audiences an insightful introduction to the relationship between collecting, value creation, and the evolving role of art within global investment landscapes.

Drawing from extensive experience in the international art world, Coll explored how collectors navigate the market, assess long-term value, and build meaningful collections that balance passion, cultural significance, and financial consideration. The lecture examined key factors that influence the value of artworks over time, including provenance, rarity, market trends, institutional recognition, and shifts in taste. While emphasising the importance of knowledge, research, and responsible collecting.

Rather than reducing art to a financial asset, the session highlighted how collecting can serve as both an aesthetic pursuit and a strategic cultural investment, contributing to the preservation of heritage and supporting living artists. Coll encouraged attendees to consider how thoughtful collecting practices can shape cultural ecosystems and reflect broader economic and societal changes.

This lecture continues the Foundation’s commitment to fostering public understanding of the art market and supporting informed, engaged collecting within the UAE and beyond.