Is it true that women buy more art than men?

Statistics of galleries worldwide show that around 75-80% artists, are men, and it is estimated that among the major permanent collections all over the world, only 5% are by female artists.
Women artists have faced marginalisation; their works sell for a fraction of the millions that works of male artists make at auctions, yet when it comes to actually buying art for homes and offices and the walk-ins at art galleries, women, apparently score higher.So what, if men are the recognised painters? It is the woman who understands and also appreciates art, and in many cases is the serious purchaser too, believe some from the art fraternity.
Women are aggressive art connoisseurs and buyers Artist Samir Mondal agrees. “There are some women who understand art, and whose work also involves the same. They are the ones who buy art in a big way.” He adds, “Most of the time, the affluent and elite are the only ones who are into fine art or theatre and hence, the breed that buys art for the love of it, is limited.” Says artist Sudip Roy, “When it comes to buying art, I have seen that women are more aggressive.” Adds Mondal, “They are the art connoisseurs when it comes to buying art for home.”
Wife knows best, say men Most contemporary Indian artists state that men may be the art collectors, but it is the women who browse and choose art. Artist Paresh Maity says that buying art is a home-oriented thing, “Paintings for homes are bought by women most of the time, because their contribution to décor is much more practical.” Artist Brinda Miller says, “In most cases, it is the woman who takes decisions regarding the décor — she does the initial recce when scouting around to buy art.” Roy says, “Husbands tell me that when it comes to displaying art at home, their wives know best.” Gallerist and curator Vickram Sethi, says that a woman buys paintings for the office, or if she is an interior decorater herself, and her job involves trying to find paintings, “Women are fussy about home décor and they have a keen sense of design so they choose the works of art they want.”
Few artists, many walk-ins Men have dominated the art world, but then, we also have the likes of an Amrita Shergill, an Anjolie Ela Menon and a Lalita Lajmi. However, in our country women artists cannot be as single-mindedly dedicated to their work, because most of the time, they have to look after their homes and kids. There are exceptions though, says Sethi, “Anjolie is one of the most successful and high selling artists of our time. This, despite the numerous different postings she went to along with her husband, two kids and also her grandchildren. Anjolie’s works are not male-dominated. Her paintings talk of femininity, of lonely women.” Around 60% of the walk-ins at various galleries are women, says Roy. Adds Maity, “I’ve heard from my gallerists that most of the time, women come to the galleries first and then they bring along their husbands.”
Big-ticket art is a couple decision Sethi says, “No I don’t think that women are more interested in art than men, nor do they buy more art. Over the years, I have observed that both the husband and the wife come together to choose and then purchase big-ticket works of art.” Gallerist Sangeeta Chopra agrees, “I don’t think that there are more women buying art — it is a collective decision by both man and wife, because it is for their home.” Adds Miller, “Most often, women say they will come back with their husbands, as the financial decisions may be his or theirs jointly, though I have noticed that they invariably disagree in their choice — men are from Mars and women are from Venus, after all.” “However, when it comes to a smaller, `3-4 lakh art purchase for homes or offices, then women do it alone,” says Sethi.
Art is a great conversation starter All sophisticated women talk about art, feels Sethi. “Women frequent art shows. After all, it is a great kitty party or evening get-together subject. A cocktail party conversation would start with, ‘Hey did you go for the new art show?’ Also, art is an extremely essential part of today’s offices and offers a lot of scope for proper displays.”
Left-brained vs right-brained? Mondal says that irrespective of whether you are a man or a woman, when it comes to buying art, the right and the left-brain seamlessly come together. He explains, “For example, when a person is solving a mathematical problem, there is use of logic, but when the answer is right, then emotion (the happiness of being able to solve it) comes into play, showing the presence of both the emotional and the rational brain.”
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