Why original art matters in a property development
Buyers purchasing a $2 million apartment are making a decision that is partly rational and partly emotional. The display suite is where the emotional decision is made. Every element of that space -- the joinery, the finishes, the lighting, the furniture -- is telling a story about what it feels like to live there. The art is part of that story.
Prints tell a different story to original art. Buyers who are spending at the luxury end of the market notice the difference, even when they cannot articulate it. Original commissioned art signals that the developer has invested in the space at every level, not just the fixtures. That signal affects how the development is perceived and how it is valued.
Where in the development does original art matter most?
Display suites are the highest-priority space. This is where buyers form their emotional impression of the development and make the decision to purchase. Original large-scale works in the living and dining areas of a display suite communicate quality in a way that mirrors and catalogue prints cannot.
Common areas are the second priority -- lobbies, lift lobbies, corridors, and rooftop or amenity spaces. These are the spaces every resident passes through every day. A considered art collection across these spaces becomes part of the resident experience and part of what justifies the ongoing body corporate fees.
Individual apartments can use more affordable works, but the common areas and display suite should always carry original art if the development is positioned at the luxury or premium end of the market.
How to brief an artist for a property development
The brief for a property development commission should include the number and size of works required, the colour palette and material finishes of each space, the market positioning and target buyer profile of the development, the installation deadline, and whether works need to be labelled by apartment or space for installation.
The best time to brief the artist is when the interior palette is being finalised -- the same stage at which lighting and furniture are being specified. Art commissioned at this stage belongs to the interior. Art sourced at the end of the project decorates it.
What volume and timeline is realistic?
For acrylic commissions, up to 30 original large-scale works can be produced in 8 weeks. For larger developments requiring more works, the production schedule is negotiated at the brief stage. All works are delivered professionally framed and, where a room-by-room plan is provided, labelled for the space they are going into.
Commission Leah Justyce for your development
Leah Justyce is an Australian contemporary fine artist with 26 years of professional practice. She has exhibited at Art Basel and The Other Fair and her work is held in private collections worldwide including a commission for US musician Blackbear. She works directly with property developers and interior designers across Australia and internationally -- no gallery intermediary, transparent pricing, delivered on your schedule.
Use the commission enquiry form to start the conversation about your development. Include the number of works, the spaces they are going into, and your handover date.