We often ask: Why do we collect art?It’s a surprisingly difficult question to answer.Unlike collecting objects such as coins, art collecting isn’t purely about accumulation.Memories and emotional connections matter more than the objects themselves.Sometimes it’s hard to explain our motivation because we fear getting it “wrong.”People collect for many reasons:Institutional preservation (libraries, museums).Wealth and status, and investment.Psychological compulsion.Yet most collectors don’t identify with any single one of these motivations.The myth of the “cultural patron”:Artists often imagine collectors as patrons advancing art history.Surveys show most collectors don’t cite cultural enrichment as a motivation.What research suggests instead:Collecting is closely tied to self-identity.It fosters connection, community, and communication.Collections educate us, comfort us, and carry personal meaning.Sharing collections helps connect with others who share our values.Circumstances vs. choice:Purchases may be tied to events, places, artists, or moments.But among many options, one piece is chosen.That choice reveals something deeper than circumstance.A personal realization:Collecting is less about ownership and more about recognition.A work reflects something back we didn’t know we were seeking.Understanding our personal “why” brings clarity to how we collect and live with art.Early impactful art experiences:Childhood exposure to unsettling Caribbean portraits at a grandmother’s home.These made an impression, but don’t “count.”An interesting observation about collectors:While writing a book on collecting art, many interviewees refused the label “art collector.”Even those with homes full of artwork didn’t identify that way.Collecting, for many, is personal—quiet, intuitive, and deeply human.__________________________________________________________________John Bishop Fine Art is an art business run by visual artist John Bishop. John is an abstract painter and illustrator, a blogger, a vlogger, podcaster, and creative writer. He has authored several children's zines and books, as well as co authored books on photography, and art business themes. He maintains a studio at Silver Street Studios in Houston. John posts a weekly blog/vlog/podcast that creates a community, a conversation, between art enthusiasts of all sorts.  John's art explores how to turn mythic, archetypal symbols into individual experiences allowing us to see them in a new way, with fresh eyes. Join the conversation, the community, and share the journey together.John Bishop: http://www.johnbishopfineart.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnbishopfineartJohn’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/johnbishopfineart/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Joh

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