Since its beginnings, Platform has worked with established artists, who may not be household names, to connect with a buyer who may lack industry insight, but appreciates art and wants to adorn their space with evoking pieces. Backed by David Zwirner, a gallery with aligning values and expert knowledge of the art landscape and business, Platform prides itself on delivering a slate of deeply informed and diverse art selections for buyers every month, erasing the guesswork that art buying usually entails.
“I actually identify much more with the people we’ve built Platform for, who are interested in culture and aesthetics but not in all of what’s involved in being a part of the art world. You don’t have to like the world to like the art itself,” Huang states about the intentions of Platform. With an evergrowing community of art appreciators and artists, the online marketplace is slowly changing how many operate within the industry, a refreshing approach to art consumption without all the added insecurity and hoops the “art world” may add.
“Platform is taking the most sought-after young artists, whose works are generally only available to art world insiders, and making their art available to everyone to buy. I can’t overstate what a major change this is for this industry that has, for centuries, carefully managed who gets to buy art. Moreover, we work with young artists who are incredibly accomplished but whose works are still relatively affordable, so Platform customers have more than access to works that they wouldn’t be able to buy otherwise; this is an incredible opportunity to help participate in an artist’s market and career, and to be a part of making small businesses (the galleries we work with, who represent the artists) more sustainable, too” Huang explains. A departure from previous industry conventions, Platform continues to value diversity, enveloping it into monthly curations that gain recognition for artists and galleries.