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Jay Koka Studio
TEN
a Retrospective of the Tenth
Anniversary Book |
FROM
A COLLECTOR'S PERSPECTIVE
by Robert Paglione
Five years ago, I began to develop a serious interest
in automotive fine art. I began to search regionally, then globally, for works
that I thought would be appropriate for my collection. The process I used for
selecting the art followed the then, as now, popular methodology of "Buy what
you like, as you may have to look at it for a long time!" Because there was so
much automotive art that I liked, I quickly realized that I would have to learn
much more about the subject of art, the automobile and its relationship to art
and how to better define my tastes in automotive art based on my goals, values
and lifestyle. Additionally, l made an effort to better understand how one
negotiates and purchases a work of art at a fair and reasonable price and last;
how to see the piece of art not only on its own but also as a part of a whole
collection.
To gain this knowledge
I have attended numerous classes, lectures and seminars on art and automobiles;
read countless periodicals and books; visited exhibitions, art shows, auctions,
private collections; talked to hundreds of collectors, dealers, enthusiasts,
hobbyists and automotive artists; crammed my mind with thousands of bits of
data and information ... and I still feel new in this field of knowledge. The
one important observation that I have gleaned from all my efforts is that I
must seek and buy the level of quality in automotive art in the same manner
that I would if I were making a purchase in other aspects of my life whether
for my family, home or business. Thus, in purchasing a work of automotive art,
I go through a mental list of what determines the quality in the piece. The
questions in the list that help me to determine my interpretation of standards
of quality in art are:
• what is the style and quality of the artist
who created the work?
• how difficult is the technique? Is the work
historically accurate within the context of the image?
• are the
materials used in the work of the highest quality?
• has the artist
been masterful in the work regarding color, light, proportions and their
interaction?
• will my eye enjoy this painting in five or ten years
the way I'm enjoying it at this moment?
• is the work going to
appreciate in value?
When I saw
jay Koka's work, I saw art that met the criteria of quality that I wanted in my
growing collection. His subject matter was pleasing to look at and it was
created with the highest standards of material. I was consumed by the color and
vibrancy of his images and soon learned that his reputation for excellence was
unchallenged. My questions concerning appreciation evaporated with an
experience a few short months after purchasing his original poster art for the
1991 Meadow Brook Historic Races. I had just placed the work in my collection
when I was asked if I would be interested in selling the painting to another
collector. I received an offer and accepted it. In retrospect, I'm sorry that I
did because I believe that the true appreciation of Jay's work has not yet been
fully realized.
I have found that
Jay's work has varied in presentation as the years pass. He continually
experiments and stretches his talents and abilities in his current work. There
are many paintings on the market today that you view and immediately know who
painted the work. It's almost as if the artist painted to some given formula.
Jay's paintings over time have demonstrated the maturity that is evolving in
his talent. It is a maturity that creates continuous improvement in his style
and medium. This ever-changing process allows him to create fresh and exciting
pieces on an ongoing basis. I have always felt his work allows one to have a
feeling of access into the image through one's mind and emotions. When I sit in
my living room or den or in my office at work, a Koka original on the wall adds
excitement and enjoyment to the room. I often find myself glancing up at the
painting for several moments and feeling more relaxed from the pressures of the
day.
Because Jay is collected by
museums, hobbyists and collectors like myself worldwide, I see him as one of
the foremost automotive artists alive today. Whether you purchase his work for
aesthetic value or appreciation, and whether it be an original or limited
edition print, the image becomes a part of your life and surely satisfies the
mind and perhaps the pocketbook for years to come.
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k20.ca Introduction | Making the
Artist | 20 Year
Retrospective Gallery | Print
Library | Jay
Koka Studio TEN 
