Building an art collection? It's all about the high low

My favourite ever podcast ran from 2017–2020, and I still miss it today. The High Low, presented by Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes, was a delicious mishmash of cultural trivia, serious debate, and everything in between. It felt like how my friends talk, one minute Celebrity Traitors, the next Dr Gabor Maté and generational trauma. Mixing up the ‘high’ and the ‘low’ is so utterly and naturally human, and it got me thinking about the art world.

Affordable prints vs million-pound masterpieces

The art world is wonderfully strange. On one end, you can browse a local shop or online store and pick up affordable art prints for £15, the kind that instantly brighten a hallway or make a rented flat feel like home. On the other, a single fine art piece can sell for millions in a bright white gallery, carefully curated and protected like a treasure.

Is one more “art” than the other? And what about the middle ground? Artists like myself who create original art but want it to be affordable and accessible.

Original art vs prints: understanding value

Art exists at the intersection of culture, craft, scarcity, and story. Cheap art prints aren’t inherently less “art” than a multi-million-pound painting, they’re just designed to be mass market and therefore need to be affordable and in turn, hold less long term value.

Original art carries uniqueness, craftsmanship, as was well as the weight of an artist’s career and reputation. When you purchase an original, you’re not just buying a visual object, you’re buying the story and experience behind it.

And yes, there is a large middle ground!

Mixing it up in your home

A mish mash is often where things exciting, aesthetically. Pair a bold £500 original painting from an independent artist with a 20 quid trendy contemporary art print from Oliver Bonas. Hang a gorgeous small edition etching next to a hand-pulled screen print from an emerging artist. Frame a postcard you love next to a piece you saved up for.

Suddenly, your walls have a story to tell.

Why mixing affordable and investment art works

Combining affordable wall art with investment pieces does three things:

1. Makes the space feel dynamic

The contrast between trendy prints and more intricate, handcrafted works creates visual rhythm and curiosity.

2. You support artists at different stages

Buying a £15 print helps an emerging artist pay for materials. Buying a larger, original artwork sustains a career. Both forms contribute to the creative ecosystem.

3. Your collection becomes uniquely yours

There’s no algorithm or rulebook, just your instinct, taste and the stories you choose to bring home. It's meaningful and magic!

Connection is the real value

The art world can feel intimidating, but at its core, it’s about expression, emotion and connection. Whether you fall in love with a £15 art print from a local gallery or a multi-million-pound masterpiece, the experience is the same: it moves you, inspires you and brings life to your space.

Build a collection that feels right for you, your budget and your space. Mix affordable prints, emerging artists, and fine art because the best collections don’t follow rules; they reflect the people who live with them.