Who Do You Trust for Art Market Advice?
I’m Christopher Thomas Shake. For more than a decade, I’ve helped collectors, artists, and galleries avoid 6-figure mistakes and scale to 7-figure results, faster than anyone else in the industry. With me, you don't just buy time. You buy accuracy, strategy, and leverage.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
The Digital Art Awards
2025
THE 3 MOST EXPENSIVE MISTAKES IN THE ART MARKET
Buying at the wrong price: One misstep can cost you £5K–£500K.
Bad advice or no advice: Most people wing it and lose (weak due diligence).
No strategy: Without written clarity, you burn time, money, and trust.
In 17 years of working in art and finance across the world’s top art capitals, I’ve seen collectors overpay by hundreds of thousands or buy the wrong work entirely.
My job is to make sure that never happens to you.
BOOK EXPERT ADVICE THAT PAYS FOR ITSELF
Trusted by collectors, dealers, and founders for more than a decade on art market strategy.Make the right call today so you know you’re investing, not just guessing.
SERVICES
Advisory Session
50 minutesOne-on-one expert session to get clarity on your strategy, evaluate an artwork, or troubleshoot a specific challenge.Ideal for collectors, gallery owners, or early-stage founders.£95
Advisory Retainer
Monthly PlanWork with me monthly to sharpen your strategy, drive economic results, and solve problems fast.
Includes unlimited email support and 2x 50-minute calls per month.£2,500/month
Advisory Retainer
30 Day Strategy SprintA one-month intensive to build your custom roadmap.
We’ll tackle valuation, positioning, tech stack, processes, and sales channels in a single high-impact sprint.£5,000 (one-time)
Advisory + Technical Execution Custom ProgrammeDesigned for high-level clients who demand more than advice. They need execution.Every bespoke engagement identifies your most critical challenges, defines tailored solutions, and sets timelines for measurable impact.You’ll get complete alignment from advisory to execution.Your vision, executed with precision.See FAQs for details.Starting at £8,000
TESTIMONALS
Brilliant, creative and reliable,
but first of all an outstanding personality. It was creative adventure to cooperate with Chris.Petra Zakrajšek, Owner, Gao Architects
Chris is an incredibly charismatic and hardworking leader with a deep passion for contemporary art. Highly knowledgeable in the field, he is exceptionally generous in sharing insights, resources, and opportunities. A true champion of artists.Han Tomlinson-Roe, Artist and Designer
I hired Christopher to provide strategic advice to my London gallery and Loire Valley Residency. We worked together intensively for a month to overhaul systems and processes. Christopher was serious, attentive, committed, innovative, hard-working and a delight to work with. Very happy with the outcome of the consultancy, and looking forward to further collaboration into the future.Melanie Ashton, Gallerist and Patron
LET'S TALK
Your next move should be your smartest.
FAQs
IS ART A GOOD INVESTMENT?Art can be a rewarding investment when approached strategically. Like other asset classes, it has risks and opportunities. Not all artworks hold value, but with proper due diligence and data-driven insights, we help you confidently navigate the market and identify works with asset potential.
WHY SHOULDN’T I GO DIRECTLY TO A GALLERY?Galleries prioritise their inventory and represented artists, focusing on sales profit. Advisors work solely in the client’s interest, providing unbiased expertise. Galleries also favour loyal collectors, limiting access for new buyers. Advisors ensure you access the best opportunities without conflicts of interest.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST MISTAKE COLLECTORS MAKE?The most common mistake is treating art like a casual purchase rather than a strategic acquisition. Many overpay, follow trends, or buy without understanding the artist’s market. Without due diligence, it’s easy to fall for hype or miss red flags. We help you cut through the noise, focus on asset potential, and collect with clarity, not guesswork.
Still have questions?
FAQs
Smart Collectors Ask These
HOW DO I RESELL ART ONCE I’VE BOUGHT IT?We acquire artworks with proven secondary market demand from reputable sources. If an artist has no resale record, the piece may be harder to sell. For art to function as an asset, multiple resale options are essential, ensuring realistic pricing and potential returns over time.
HOW MUCH DOES A BESPOKE PROGRAMME COST?Bespoke programmes typically range from £2,500 to £8,000 GBP, depending on scope, time, and the level of strategic involvement required.Additional expenses such as travel, accommodation, specialist research, or event production will apply separately where necessary and will always be agreed in advance. Every programme begins with a detailed proposal, outlining all fees and deliverables, so you have complete clarity before we begin.
HOW LONG DOES A PROGRAMME TAKE?Timelines depend on the brief, market opportunities, and project complexity. Most programmes take between 1 and 36 months. A detailed timeline with agreed-upon milestones is provided for each client, ensuring the process is seamless, collaborative, and aligned with your expectations.
WHICH AUCTION HOUSES DO YOU BUY/SELL FROM?We transact only reputable auction houses and dealers, using an in-house scoring system. Our key sources include Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips, alongside regional houses in Europe, Asia, and the US. Every decision is tailored to your needs and aligned with market opportunities.
HOW CAN I BE SURE I’M NOT BUYING A FAKE?Provenance & authenticity are key. We examine provenance documents, sales records, and certificates to detect issues. Missing documentation triggers further investigations. By working with trusted sources & conducting thorough checks, we minimise risks ensuring your safety.
DOES THE ART MARKET OUTPERFORM THE STOCK MARKET?It depends on the metrics used. Claims of consistent art market outperformance can be misleading and are targeted to new investors. Some segments perform well, others don’t. Understanding comparisons and metrics is vital. We provide insights to help you determine how art fits as an asset in your portfolio.