My Journey Into the World of Art Collecting
And What I've Learned Along the Way
How This All Started
Like many of you, I found myself drawn to the world of art but completely overwhelmed by where to start. The art market seemed like an exclusive club with its own language, inflated prices, and intimidating gallery politics.
I remember standing in my first gallery, feeling like an imposter. The prices were astronomical, the terminology was confusing, and I had no idea how to tell if something was worth the investment or just overpriced hype.
But instead of giving up, I decided to learn. I started small, made mistakes, asked questions, and slowly built my understanding of what makes art valuable—both emotionally and financially.
About Me
Vik Chadha
Making Art Collecting Accessible to Everyone
Vik Chadha's PassionForArt emerged from his own intimidating journey into art collecting after achieving financial success. Having built and sold companies, he finally had means to collect art—but found the art world deliberately opaque and unwelcoming to newcomers.
"After Backupify's exit, I walked into a Chelsea gallery excited to buy my first serious piece," Vik shares. "The experience was so pretentious and confusing that I almost gave up. I realized millions of people want to collect art but are intimidated by the gallery system. PassionForArt is the friend I wished I had."
Drawing on his experience demystifying complex technologies at GE and making enterprise software accessible at Backupify, Vik approached art collecting as another system that needed translation. His journey from tech entrepreneur to art collector provided unique perspective on bridging these worlds.
PassionForArt shares Vik's personal collecting journey—wins, mistakes, and lessons learned—while providing practical guides for beginners. It's part blog, part resource hub, all focused on making art collecting approachable and affordable for people who love art but feel excluded by the traditional art world.
"Art collecting shouldn't require a trust fund or art history degree," Vik states. "PassionForArt proves you can build a meaningful collection on any budget if you have curiosity, patience, and good guidance."
The platform embodies Vik's belief that democratizing access creates value, helping newcomers navigate the art world with confidence while building collections that bring them joy.
Our Philosophy: Demystifying Art Collecting
Why This Site Exists
PassionForArt.com is my way of sharing everything I've learned—and am still learning—about building a meaningful art collection without breaking the bank or feeling like an outsider.
This isn't about becoming an art expert overnight. It's about making the art world accessible, honest, and enjoyable for people who love art but don't have unlimited budgets or insider connections.
I believe that art collecting should be about passion first, investment second. When you buy what you love, you're more likely to make smart decisions and build a collection that brings you joy for years to come.
What You'll Find Here
My Collecting Journey
Real stories from my own collecting adventures—the wins, the mistakes, the lessons learned. Complete transparency about budgets, decisions, and outcomes.
Read My Stories →
Practical Guides
Step-by-step resources for your first art purchase, understanding pricing, spotting emerging artists, and navigating the art market with confidence.
Explore Guides →
Budget-Smart Strategies
Realistic advice for building a meaningful collection without breaking the bank. Finding affordable sources, timing purchases, and building relationships.
Learn More →
Artist Discovery
Learn how to identify promising emerging artists, understand career trajectories, and build relationships with artists early in their careers.
Discover Artists →What Makes This Different
Personal Experience, Not Theory
I'm not an art dealer or auction house expert. I'm someone learning alongside you, sharing real experiences and honest mistakes.
Realistic Budgets
No $50,000 investment advice here. I focus on accessible collecting strategies for real people with real budgets.
Honest Market Reality
I'll tell you when art is overpriced, when to walk away, and how to spot genuine value in a market full of hype.
Community Focus
This isn't just about my journey—it's about building a community of art lovers who support each other and emerging artists.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Whether you're completely new to art collecting or looking to refine your approach, I'm here to help you build a collection you love.