In the ever-changing art market, seasoned expert Maria Brito shares insights from smart collectors on what’s worth investing in, bridging the gap between artists, galleries, and institutions with her steady hand.
The art market, like other markets, moves in cycles of exuberance and contraction. Maria Brito, a seasoned art advisor, has quietly but firmly established herself as one of the most successful art advisors in New York. With over $150 million in acquisitions facilitated for high-profile clients, her success is quantifiable and highly visible.
Brito’s journey into the art world came from corporate law, and over the past fifteen years, she has navigated the market’s boom-and-bust cycles with the steady hand of a strategist. Despite the doom-and-gloom headlines, Brito feels confident and reports that her clients are energized for the coming season.
Brito describes her role as that of a translator, strategist, and advocate. ‘Art advisors bridge the gap between artists, galleries, collectors and institutions, helping clients make informed acquisitions that align with both their personal tastes and long-term value,’ she said. With an increasing complexity and opacity in the market, an advisor brings clarity, context, and access.
Brito focuses on artists who have demonstrated longevity and sustainability in their careers. ‘Maybe they don’t need to buy a Jean Basquiat; we can go pretty safely with a George Condo,’ she pointed out. ‘He’s a great artist who has been stable for years and still has a long trajectory, as we could say for Alex Katz or Rashid Johnson.’
Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist born in Brooklyn, New York.
He rose to fame in the 1980s with his unique neo-expressionist style that combined elements of graffiti, abstract expressionism, and social commentary.
Basquiat's artwork often explored themes of racism, identity, and history.
He collaborated with Andy Warhol on several projects before his untimely death at age 27.
Basquiat's art has been exhibited in museums worldwide and continues to inspire new generations of artists.
Individual effort and talent matter, but so do the platforms. Artists need the right ecosystem: the gallery, the curator, the collectors. ‘Artists need to develop now who might still be interesting in the future,’ Brito emphasized.
Art has been a vital part of human culture for thousands of years, with early forms of expression including cave paintings and ancient sculptures.
The Renaissance saw a resurgence in artistic innovation, with masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo pushing the boundaries of technique and style.
Today, art encompasses a wide range of mediums, from traditional painting and sculpture to digital art and performance.
According to a 2020 report, the global art market was valued at $67.4 billion, with online platforms driving growth in sales and accessibility.
A new generation of collectors is rising—one that will inevitably reshape the rules of taste and collecting. ‘We’re talking about a generation raised on the internet and social media, which is not what Picasso had to go through, right?’ Brito quipped.
Pablo Picasso was a Spanish artist who revolutionized modern art with his pioneering work in Cubism.
Born on October 25, 1881, in Málaga, Spain, Picasso is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
He is known for his diverse range of artistic styles, including Blue Period and Rose Period, which showcased his ability to express human emotion through art.
Throughout his career, Picasso created over 50,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, prints, and ceramics.
As our world undergoes seismic shifts, the art market is simply along for the ride. People need perspective. ‘We had a moment of incredible boom, and hopefully everyone capitalized on it,’ Brito emphasized. ‘Now we’re in a new part of the cycle.’
What is relevant today might already be outdated tomorrow. Brito’s 2022 bestseller, How Creativity Rules The World, is about the eternal creative potential of human minds. Her book is about creativity because that’s the throughline connecting art, business, innovation and reinvention.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fairs and auctions, Brito is focused on gratitude. ‘This is something we should all celebrate,’ she asserted. ‘We have this amazing opportunity to see such a variety of artworks, ask questions, ask prices and have access to beautiful objects.’ And in the end? ‘They encapsulate the history of humanity—that’s what remains when we’re gone.‘
