Spotted at 35,000 Feet: The Next Masterpiece?

I just recorded a fascinating conversation with the talented Philippa Starns of Spafax, the inflight entertainment company powering content for around 70 airlines worldwide — the topic? “Investment Art: How to Spot the Next Masterpiece.”

Having at one time served as VP Marketing at Air New Zealand, I’ve always been intrigued by how inflight programming can add to long-haul travel and turn time in the air into an inspiring experience.  This time, we took to the skies with a new lens: The Art of Collecting and Investing in Art — and how to identify future icons before they hang in museums.

Why Collecting Art Still Matters: The next great works of art often don’t scream — they whisper. Spotting them takes vision, timing, and a deep understanding of cultural shifts. Art doesn’t just mirror who we are; it signals where we’re headed — emotionally and financially.

The most successful collectors understand this: You’re not just buying art. You’re buying a story. And when that story resonates with others, that’s where true value begins.

Profit Meets Passion: Collecting isn’t just emotional — it can be financial too. Investment art blends aesthetic richness with economic resilience. In uncertain times, art becomes a hedge: a human, tangible luxury that holds value when markets falter.

Blue-chip contemporary names like Warhol, Basquiat, and Hockney dominate headlines — but it’s in the emerging artists where exponential opportunity lies. Art has consistently outperformed many traditional assets — and unlike crypto or stocks, you can live with it, love it, and pass it on. 

Final Word: My wife and I began collecting many years ago — it’s been one of the great joys of our lives. My advice is this: collect with your heart, Invest with care. Buy what moves you andf then learn why. That's where true value begins and where it becomes a legacy!

For further information do contact me.

Best wishes

James

James Nicholls

Do register My advice is this: collect with heart, invest with care. Buy what moves you — then advice is this: collect with heart, invest with care. Buy what moves you — then learn why. That’s where true value begin — and where it becomes a legac