Collecting Art Part 1: Introduction

COLLECTING art
Hammer Museum Exhibit Image
"The object is not to make art. It is to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable"
Robert Henri
 1. Introduction
I approach photography as art and I consider collecting art to be an essential aspect of being an artist.  For these reasons, I decided to write a series of four essays in which I look at the process of collecting art.  I will start by explaining why collecting art became important to me.  I will continue by writing about visiting museums and galleries.  Finally, I will end this series by giving you tips about building your own art collection.
 2. Introduction
I remember the first time I purchased a work of art: it was an Ansel Adams photograph printed by Alan Ross, one of Adam’s assistants.  I mail ordered it from the Ansel Adams gallery in 1986 when I moved to the USA to study at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.  An ad in a photography magazine had attracted my attention towards this print, even thou...