Transformer Gallery Feature - Washington Life - May 2013

LIFESTYLES | ON THE CANVAS

THE

COLLECTORS

As part of TRANSFORMER’S annual Collector’s View series (on view through May 19), five Washingtonians opened their homes to share their private art collections with the public. Here, three speak about their love of art and the art of collecting.

BY ANNE KIM-DANNIBALE PHOTOS BY JOSEPH ALLEN

ANDREA EVERS and BRIAN AITKEN Contemporary art featuring Western pop art and noted Washington artists.

‘This is the first big piece I ever purchased. I had a little heart attack when I saw it. It’s an explosion of color with a narrative quality that feels like a comic spill. I never get sick of looking at it.’ .

— ANDREA EVERS

“Belletriste” by Ian Whitmore, showed 2005

My husband and I are both native Californians, so we’re drawn to pieces that remind us of suburbia. We also love Ed Ruscha and Mel Bochner, who tend to include words in their pieces. That speaks to me because I have a master’s in literature.

As we’ve collected more, we’ve become much more focused, not as impulsive. We think of an artist or a piece we want for a while and talk to gallery directors around the country before we buy.

We tend to stay away from pieces that are too heavy handed, political or didactic. I’m not into political art.

Right now, we’re looking at Fred Tomaselli. That’s probably the next thing we buy. My husband has been talking about it for two weeks.

From the Experts

ANDREA POLLAN

VICTORIA REIS

director/owner, Curator’s Office

executive & artistic director, Transformer

Beginning collectors sometimes buy impulsively. Acquire what you really respond to — either you love it or it gets under your skin. Research is important. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Beginning collectors commonly make uninformed purchases like not knowing if a work is archival, how to protect it in the long term, and buying works on paper without knowing how to frame them.

Even the most experienced collector finds that the art market can be one of the most fickle. Experienced collectors can surprise themselves as they acquire different media. Video is a case in point.

For me, a truly great collection has a “wow” factor that evokes questions and feelings.

The Internet and proliferation of art shows has changed how people collect.

But gallery shows are the best way to learn about an artist’s greater body of work in depth.

A collection that is truly great is one that shows passion and vision.

64

It’s absolutely possible to have a great collection for li*le money. Transformer’s FlatFile is a great place to start.

When pu*ing together a collection look for what inspires you, a work you keep thinking about, how you will present it and how additions will speak to works you currently have.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

ANN LUSKEY ‘Eco-pad’ of contemporary art with nature and conservation themes.

‘When I bought this piece I had not yet discovered I was a water person. Since then she has become our watery talisman keeping us safe when we lived at sea. I loved the subtle lines and colors the artist used, and I enjoy imagining how she came to life from a simple plank of wood.’

— ANN LUSKEY

Large Mermaid Relief by Stephen Balkenhol, 1995

The pieces in my collection represent a distinct period of my own evolution. A decade after graduating college, I discovered ocean conservation, rediscovered my inner bohemian, and started collecting pieces that made a statement about our planet and its declining health.

I don’t really look for anything when adding to my collection. If it calls to me because it’s funny or has a great message, then I know it’s right. Right now I’m actually working on making art myself.

Practical things may dissuade me from buying, like will it fit in my house? Is it ridiculously expensive?

DEBORAH KALKSTEIN and CARLOS BACHRACH International collection with works by artists from Kalkstein’s native Peru.

‘I love the contrast between the extreme detail and depth of the man’s portrait with the almost child-like graffiti drawings. It brings me back to my Peruvian origin and really shows the street life in a very graphic way.’

— DEBORAH KALKSTEIN I see a collection as something that should ignite feelings from whomever is living with it. It’s not that we collect a particular type of art. I’m hesitant to even call ourselves “collectors.” We really are drawn to pieces that mean something or talk to us in a certain way. Most of our pieces come from Latin American and I think it’s that they take us back to where we came from.

We like and appreciate living surrounded by art. I can’t have it any other way either because they make us feel uncomfortable because of their graphic content or very comfortable because of their innocence and beauty.

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

| M AY | washingtonlife.com

“RAMON” mixed media on wood, 2008, by Aaron Lopez

65