Sunday Business Post January 08, 2006 - Ros Drinkwater
"Among the younger abstract artists, I would put Martin Finnin at the head of any list of potentially sound investments for 2006. After a successful Dublin show in the Origin Gallery in November, he was chosen for inaugural exhibition of the new London venture of the Form gallery in Cork. His paintings are best described as as celebration of the sheer sensuality of colour."

In the current economic climate many individuals and business are seeking new ways to increase their assets. The traditional investment vehicle of property has in recent years proven to be financially prohibitive for many investors.

In this climate the art market has clearly identified itself as a safe haven by providing positive annual returns. More so, the art market has demonstrated its ability to survive an economic downturn and the risks attached for the investor are far lower than those taken by the stock market investor.

Organic growth in demand coupled with limited supply inevitably increases prices with returns on limited high end investment art achieving the maximum appreciation. Accordingly, the art market now attracts not only the averse investor but also the astute collector. The investment by these collectors has provided them with the required advantage of traditional investments and bestowed on them the aesthetic pleasure that can only be achieved by owning a work of art.

A collector who approaches art with the mentality of an investor needs to have the ability to purchase works by artists that already have a solid market value. As professional experts in the Irish art market, we provide that ability to the investor. Indeed we now offer our clients a unique opportunity that combines the economics of investment with the aesthetics of fine art.

With this opportunity, clients must purchase selected works of art from Solo Arte from €10,000 upwards, in the event of this purchase being one or more works of art a set percentage on each price will be guaranteed. Solo Arte, in turn, guarantees these clients who wish to realise their return up to 20% return on the original purchase price (net of value added tax) on the third anniversary of the investment. The client can avail of the following options to realise the return.

• Solo Arte undertakes to buy back the original piece and make the guaranteed payment directly to the client. This is subject to the work or works of art being returned in the same condition as when sold

  or

• Solo Arte undertakes to replace the original piece with a gallery piece chosen by the client to the value of the guaranteed payment.

Investment Criteria
Solo Arte will apply the following criteria to the investment process.

• Only works selected from major Irish & U.K. artists with a verifiable background and proven track record will be considered.
• Investment and valuation information supported by independent sources.
• Original works of art of the highest quality.
• Guarantee of authenticity.
• Responsibility for the work up to moment of delivery.

Disclaimer
This correspondence is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and is necessarily in a condensed form. Professional advice should be taken before acting on information in it.

Should you have an interest in an Art Bond a private viewing can be arranged at a suitable time.