Article: The emotional side of collecting: disgust and attraction in the art market Journal: International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion (IJWOE) 2025 Vol.16 No.1 pp.75 - 94 Abstract: This study delves into the exploration of a niche organisational culture within the art market, focusing on shared values that drive photography collectors' appreciation and acquisition of works considered repugnant by mainstream standards. The research aims to comprehend the emotional dynamics guiding collectors' choices, particularly regarding subjects that typically evoke negative emotions, such as explicit sexuality, deformity, illness, and death. Utilising an original dataset comprising 1,766 lots from 24 artists auctioned at major European events between 2013 and 2018, the analysis sheds light on intriguing trends. Collectors demonstrate a heightened inclination to purchase and invest higher prices in photographs featuring disturbing subjects compared to traditional ones. Qualitative interviews reveal that this positive evaluation is anchored in the categories of 'extraordinariness,' 'change,' and 'sophistication' associated with these artworks. This research provides insights into how shared values within niche organisational cultures shape organisational actors' preferences and behaviours in the art market. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: The emotional side of collecting: disgust and attraction in the art market

Authors: Chiara Paolino; Federica De Molli; Francesca Pinardi

Addresses: Department of Economics and Business Management Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), Via Lodovico Necchi, 5, 20123 Milano MI, Italy ' Department of Leadership and Organisational Behaviour, BI Norwegian Business School, Nydalsveien 37, 0484 Oslo, Norway ' ARTSY, 49-51 Farringdon Rd., London EC1M 3JB, UK

Abstract: This study delves into the exploration of a niche organisational culture within the art market, focusing on shared values that drive photography collectors' appreciation and acquisition of works considered repugnant by mainstream standards. The research aims to comprehend the emotional dynamics guiding collectors' choices, particularly regarding subjects that typically evoke negative emotions, such as explicit sexuality, deformity, illness, and death. Utilising an original dataset comprising 1,766 lots from 24 artists auctioned at major European events between 2013 and 2018, the analysis sheds light on intriguing trends. Collectors demonstrate a heightened inclination to purchase and invest higher prices in photographs featuring disturbing subjects compared to traditional ones. Qualitative interviews reveal that this positive evaluation is anchored in the categories of 'extraordinariness,' 'change,' and 'sophistication' associated with these artworks. This research provides insights into how shared values within niche organisational cultures shape organisational actors' preferences and behaviours in the art market.

Keywords: collector preferences; emotional dynamics in art collecting; niche organisational culture; collector behaviour; disgust.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWOE.2025.144496

International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 2025 Vol.16 No.1, pp.75 - 94

Received: 24 Nov 2022
Accepted: 10 Mar 2024
Published online: 17 Feb 2025 *

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Title: The emotional side of collecting: disgust and attraction in the art market

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