A talk with Mr. Somewhere (Shabari), NFT artist and Part-time collector
Shabari's dual roles, as both an artist and a collector, have shaped his unique viewpoint on the art market, blending a deep-seated love for art with a knack for spotting potential investments.
We recently had the chance to sit down and have a fun-filled conversation with Shabari, a digital artist and an part-time art collector. During our chat, he shared his unique perspective on collecting art.
The roots of Shabari's deep-seated passion for art collecting can be traced back to his profound empathy for the challenges artists often face, especially the emotional toll of not being able to sell their pieces. This empathy, when mixed with a savvy approach towards investment, led him down the path of strategic investment in the vibrant art market.
"I'm mad about collecting", Shabari told us in a casual chat, "I've been there, feeling the pain of not selling a piece for a long time. So, I decided to try my hand at investing in shitcoins, made some decent profits, and that's how I started buying art". His dual roles, as both an artist and a collector, have shaped his unique viewpoint on the art market, blending a deep-seated love for art with a knack for spotting potential investments.
Shabari's journey into the realm of art began in the most humble and traditional manner: creating simple doodles on his grandmother's notepads and diaries. The encouragement he received during this early phase played a critical role in nurturing his passion for arts. His foray into the world of digital art was marked by his introduction to Photoshop.
"I used to fill up my grandma's notepads and diaries with my drawings... Then, I got introduced to Photoshop, and that's when I began creating simple silhouette vector arts", he remembers with a smile. This turning point in his life broadened his creative canvas and eventually steered him towards the exciting world of NFTs.
When it comes to collecting art, Shabari places a high value on community engagement. His close-knit circle of friends, steadfast supporters, shared art posts, and intriguing finds on the marketplace are the pillars that support his diverse collection. However, Shabari takes care not to let friendships cloud his judgment when it comes to evaluating the quality of art.
In his words, "Yeah, they can be my buddies, but the art must be good... I can't just buy a random piece of art that's been made without any effort or just because it has a couple of lines on it". This attitude showcases his discerning taste and his deep-rooted respect for the labor that goes into creating a piece of art.
Un And An #2, by Zandista, from Shabari's collected pieces
Shabari has a clear preference when it comes to artistic styles. He's drawn towards sci-fi, futuristic, dark arts, especially those pieces that are dominated by a monochrome palette or a single color. He has a special admiration for Zandista, an artist known for his consistent use of a yellow-based color scheme in his works. Shabari believes that for artists to stand out in the crowded art marketplace, it's essential to develop a unique style. This belief is reflected in his own artistic style, which cleverly employs a monochrome, line art OP moire style to distinguish his works from the rest.
In our discussion about the inner workings of the NFT art market, Shabari underscored the crucial role of recognition from "whales" or big collectors within the NFT space. He believes that gaining acknowledgment from such a collector can thrust an artist into the spotlight, leading to a steady flow of sales.
He explains: "If a whale digs your work then that's all you need, they can shoot you into the spotlight and you'll start seeing regular sales. All you need is that spotlight, that hypezone". This viewpoint reveals the substantial influence that high-profile collectors can exert in the art market.
As our chat neared its conclusion, Shabari delved into the ever-evolving landscape of NFT marketplaces. He expressed his belief that the dominance of Ethereum, often considered the "elite" chain due to its early adoption of NFTs, is being challenged by emerging alternatives like Solana, Tezos or Cosmos. These new game-changers are expanding the realm of possibilities for artists and collectors alike, he suggests. Shabari's thoughts on the future of NFT marketplaces project a hopeful vision of a more diverse and welcoming art market that's open to everyone.
