What is an art advisor?
An art advisor is a trusted specialist who guides private collectors, families and institutions in building meaningful art collections that are both aesthetically exciting and financially sound. They combine market knowledge, curatorial judgement and practical support so that every work acquired has strong provenance, long-term value and emotional resonance for the client.

Who are your typical clients?
My clients range from established UK-based collectors focused on modern British art—from Hepworth and Patrick Heron to William Scott—to a younger generation of international millennial and tech collectors who are excited by emerging artists on the global stage. I also advise collectors in hubs such as London, Monaco and Hong Kong, each with very different tastes and expectations.

What exactly does an art advisor do?
An art advisor researches, sources and evaluates works of art, then guides the client through every stage of acquisition. That includes due diligence on provenance and condition, pricing and market context, negotiation and ensuring the chosen works fit the client’s collection, space and long-term goals.

How do you help clients choose the right work?
I start by understanding a client’s budget, comfort zone and what moves them emotionally. From there, I present carefully researched options and focus on finding pieces that they will enjoy living with over the long term rather than encouraging short-term flips.

How important is budget and how do you approach it?
I never push clients outside the financial zone where they feel comfortable. If someone has a budget of £50,000 or £100,000, we may end up buying works at half that price if those are the right pieces, building the collection step by step.

Why is working with a professional art advisor valuable?
The value lies in rigorous research and independent judgement. I make sure provenance and condition are correct, that pricing is fair in the current market and that each acquisition fits a long-term strategy while also negotiating on the client’s behalf.

How do you assess whether a work has long-term value?
I look for artists who are museum-worthy and auction-worthy, who consistently appear in major museums and sales and have strong exhibition histories and academic recognition. When an artist has spent decades refining their practice—as with someone like Hockney—that depth of commitment and scholarship underpins long-term value.

Do tastes differ between London, Monaco and Hong Kong?
Yes, very much so. Hong Kong collectors are often experimental—they enjoy the great textbook names such as Picasso and Warhol but are also open to bold, innovative work. In Monaco the mood is Riviera—colourful, bright, often sculptural with interest in artists like Anish Kapoor and Annie Morris whose works can animate landscapes and interiors. London is closer to New York in that collectors often prioritise provenance, narrative, exhibition history and the museum trail behind an artist’s work.

What trends are you seeing in the art market?
There is a clear generational shift with millennials and Gen Z collectors—often from the tech world—bringing significant new capital into the market. They are drawn to abstract, conceptual, digital and interactive works and to experimental practices across different media. After a difficult economic period many clients are also seeking more upbeat, transformative works that make them feel good and transport them.

What personal qualities define your work as an advisor?
Grit and integrity. The art world demands passion, resilience and a long-term commitment—you cannot be in it just for the money. My relationships with collectors are built on trust—they know I work exhaustively on research and due diligence so that everything in their home or office sings and becomes part of their story.

What advice do you give to new collectors?
First, immerse yourself—go to art fairs and museums and discover what genuinely compels you. Then communicate clearly with your advisor—define your budget and parameters—and allow time for research so you can make informed, unpressured decisions. Buy slowly and discerningly, get to know your advisor’s past projects and ensure their experience aligns with your ambitions.

What does great art mean to you?
Great art overwhelms you emotionally—it can propel you, delight you, uplift you or transport you to another part of your mind. It should be provocative or deeply restful but in all cases it must move you and have longevity and integrity, not just a fleeting impact.

View Tanya baxter's Art Advisory profile on Spear’s 500 Listing here.