Today – a first-hand account by FMT Lifestyle contributor and financial expert KC Lau:

Recently, my wife and I visited Yingge Old Town, a charming spot near Taipei. If you’ve never been, picture streets and alleys lined with art shops, the air rich with the scent of pottery and history. Amidst this nostalgic atmosphere, we embarked on an exploration of art.

My wife was instantly captivated by a copper sculpture: a charming statue of a child. The piece evoked beautiful memories of our son and our childhood. There was something deeply heartwarming about it.

We learnt that every piece by this artist was a limited edition, with only 38, 99, or 18 copies produced, depending on the artwork. This exclusivity made each piece highly collectible.

Typically, the larger the artwork, the higher the price and the fewer pieces available. Once the artist sells the last copy of a design, they won’t make it again.

Art isn’t cheap, and for good reason: you’re paying not just for the material but for the time, effort, and creativity the artist pours into their work. Each piece we looked at was priced in the region of several thousand ringgit.

The first piece that caught my wife’s eye was by Huang Guoxiong, titled “That Summer”. We took the artist’s card, deciding to do some research before making a decision.

Wandering and window shopping

As we continued exploring and window shopping, we stumbled upon another shop selling similar copper sculptures. The facial expressions and styles were slightly different but still centred around the theme of children. These pieces, we discovered, were by a different artist.

This artist’s works were even more expensive, although they offered a 40% discount. Despite the markdown, each piece was still at least RM5,000.

My wife now had more choices, and while she was tempted, the salesperson couldn’t quite close the deal. Perhaps it was because she didn’t find one that truly resonated with her.

Just next door, we discovered yet another gallery, with a style reminiscent of the others. This gallery prominently displayed the artist’s name and their accolades, including three consecutive awards for excellence in their category.

We ventured inside and found more works by this artist, the oldest of the three we’d encountered so far. Most of his pieces were priced above RM5,000, depending on the size. However, there was one smaller piece, not too tiny, priced at RM3,500 after a 10% discount.

The salesperson here was incredibly knowledgeable, explaining the special meaning behind each artwork. She pointed out that the children in the artist’s pieces had distinctive features: arched eyebrows and “breeze-catching” ears.

She also mentioned that this particular piece had just arrived. If sold, it might require a two- to three-month wait for a new one, during which prices could increase owing to inflation and rising material costs.

This time, my wife was convinced. She swiped her card and brought home “Good Fortune” by Liao Shuqian. We were officially art collectors.

Reflections on the way home

On the drive back, we reflected on our financial journey – from having nothing to now buying art purely for its aesthetic value. Honestly, I’m not much of an art collector. I don’t like hoarding things. But if this piece of art brings my wife joy, then it’s worth every sen.

Besides, art generally holds its value – though I’m still unsure about the piece we just bought.

We also discussed how popular art collecting is in developed countries. When people buy art, it supports artists, giving them the means to keep creating.

Wealthier folks often have the space to display these pieces, and art and antiques have the added benefit of retaining value. Contrast that with everyday items like beds, furniture, and appliances that depreciate at lightning speed.

Those with the means can choose to collect art. Over time, these pieces might appreciate in value, all while enriching one’s home with beauty and meaning. Imagine sitting on your luxurious sofa, gazing at a masterpiece on your wall, and thinking, “Well, this beats the toaster in terms of value retention!”

As we chatted about the value of art, I couldn’t help but wonder: why are sculptures of children so popular? My guess is that they hold universal appeal, much like how they captivated my wife.

For art to have commercial value, it must be widely accepted. You can pursue what you love, but without popularity, it’s hard to make a living. So when you admire a piece of art, you’re not just appreciating the work – you’re supporting an artist’s dream to be recognised.

While I don’t claim to understand art deeply, I know one thing: these sculptures bring joy to my wife, which makes it absolutely worth it. After all, art collecting isn’t just about investment – it’s about finding happiness and value in the process.

This article first appeared in kclau.com.

KC Lau’s first book ‘Top Money Tips for Malaysians’ has sold thousands of copies. He launched the first online personal-finance course specifically designed for Malaysians, the Money Automation System, and co-founded many other online financial courses including the Bursa Method, Property Method, Founder Method and REIT Method.