Catriona Warren

The BA and MA degree shows on this month and next are a god hunting ground if you want to buy the work of emerging young artists. There is no need to feel intimidated when you go to a student show. There is no haughty receptionist or hovering dealer. Just enjoy the show and take the kids - children have a straightforward enjoyment of a lot of contemporary art.

If you see something you like don't be afraid to ask to speak to the student and to ask them to tell you about their work. All students are used to discussing the art they make and will most likely be delighted by your interest. If you like their work but no particular piece grabs you, ask if you can go and visit their studio after the degree show. Make sure they have your name and address so they can send you invitations to any of their future shows. I stress again that the students will be really pleased by interest.

Prices at degree shows can be erratic - it's difficult for students to know how to price their work, and although it can be expensive for an unknown, it's more often ridiculously cheap. If you genuinely think the price is too high, you can discuss it with the artist, but in general you shouldn't try to bargain down a struggling student or ask them for a discount.

You might strike lucky and buy the work of a young artist whose career then takes off, but by and large you shouldn't buy student work with a view to it being a good investment. You don't expect the money you spend on your sofa or your curtains to be an investment and you should view the painting or sculpture as something that is going to enhance your home and give you pleasure to look at. Even if an artist does become successful, their style will almost certainly develop and the demand is likely to be for their new work rather than what they did at art school. On the other hand, you might not be able to afford to buy from an established artist, so it is worth taking a punt on them while they are still an unknown quantity before they are taken on by a gallery and their prices rise.

The best way to get your eye in and to gain confidence, as well as to get a feel for prices,is to go to as many degree shows as you can. The BA degree shows in London come thick and fast in June, so much so that it is almost impossible to see them all. If you only have time to visit one, the BA show I have most enjoyed thus far is the Wimbledon Sculpture Show. If you live outside London, check your local art college to see when their degree show is on - it will almost certainly be in June.