An art collector hosted a fabulous dinner and invited many guests. Paintings by famous artists and their young students anonymously adorned the high walls and pleased the eyes of the visitors. The host asked the gathered ones to pick the most fascinating masterpiece, and they, as one, recognized the brilliance of the young artists. The evening passed, and the morning came, and AVRIAN ART GALLERY, a gallery of tomorrow, saw its daylight.

Can you share a particularly memorable experience you've had as an art collector, discovering a new emerging artist or adding a piece to your collection?

By coincidence, I bought a painting of a Chinese art student and placed it among works by some well-known artists at my home. That exact painting has been selected as one of the most intriguing by most guests at the dinner events despite its affordable price, which they didn't know, of course. I have never stopped thinking about that. But one feedback is constant: They are all keen to see what young artists from academies worldwide are creating. 

How did you become interested in collecting art, particularly works by emerging artists?

It took me a long time to engage in the art, even though I've always been surrounded by collectors and art enthusiasts with privileged access to rare artworks. You know, there is real beauty in the freedom to evaluate artwork yourself and distance yourself from what the industry defines as worthy.

How do you evaluate the potential for an artist's work to hold or increase its value over time?

Never. I do not compromise here, and I would never buy artwork as an investment or without the desire and conviction to own that piece. The only value I seek is pure enrichment and the joy of looking at the artwork. However, I take consultations on art pieces above a certain price level. 

Would you agree that a work of art reveals itself to the viewer over a longer period?

I constantly discover new emotions and revelations in every artwork I own, which is the beauty of my lifelong journey with these pieces. Art is a subjective experience. Overall, the viewer's personality and emotional state can influence the way they perceive and interpret artworks and can impact the process of revealing the deeper meanings and messages within the art. Art happens when it meets the beholder.

In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges facing emerging artists and students today, and how can the public help address these challenges?

People may feel uncertain about their own personal tastes and preferences when it comes to art. They may worry that their taste is not sophisticated enough or that they will be judged by others for their choices. At the same time, young artists need more courage to believe in their artistic instincts.

I want to tear down barriers and encourage as many as possible to believe in what they like because only they know what they genuinely enjoy. The world of art and collecting art is not just for millionaires and should have a more prominent status in our lives for the greater good.

Charles Goettmann

An investment banker by training with a long track record in Private Equity, but with a passion for the creative industries. With the solid belief that the world does not need more people like himself but creative minds and artists, Charles Goettmann founded AVRIAN ART GALLERY to shine a light on young artists globally.

"Art has enriched my life in so many different ways and I want as many people as possible to experience the same. By tearing down any barriers in between, I believe there could be a massive cultural uplift for our society."