Collectors Share the Artworks That Define Their Collections

Collectors Share the Artworks That Define Their Collections

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ollecting art is a deeply personal journey for many, as the pieces they acquire become reflections of their identity, values, and artistic tastes. Each acquisition is a thoughtful process, carefully shaping their overall art collection.

Artsy had the privilege of speaking with five esteemed collectors, who graciously shared the meaningful stories behind the artworks that have significantly shaped their treasured collections.

Michael Sherman: Embracing Art's Stories and Histories in His Collection

Film producer Michael Sherman considers his art collection a family endeavor, shaping his sanctuary where joy and stories intertwine. For Sherman, learning about an artist’s history and meeting them in person is crucial. He passionately collects based on the artist’s narrative and journey.

One of Sherman’s significant acquisitions is Simone Leigh’s “Meredith” (2020), a powerful sculpture made from stoneware, raffia, and steel. Leigh’s reinterpretation of Edgar Degas’s “Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen” conveys themes of historical and contemporary racism in the U.S.

Sherman’s collection reflects diverse experiences, expressing stories of joy, pain, trauma, and more from different perspectives and angles. Each artwork contributes to the tapestry of his collection’s narrative.

Anne Huntington Sharma: A Multifaceted Collector's Artistic Journey

Anne Huntington Sharma, the president of Huntington Learning Center and a philanthropist, curator, and documentary producer, has built a diverse and multifaceted art collection. For her, each artwork serves as a bookmark for different chapters of her life, and her collection has matured alongside her.

The collection reflects her exploration of artistic expression through time. Pieces like Urs Fischer’s NFT Chaos #26 (2021) offer a modern take on ancient art, while Brian Bress’s Striped Angles on a Norfolk Island Pine (2015) presents an interactive and meditative video experience for viewers.

David Hockney’s The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate East Yorkshire2011 (twenty eleven)-31 May, No 1 (2011) holds a special place in her collection, showcasing the evolution of art mediums with modern technology. Hockney’s digital paintings on the iPad demonstrate the potential of digital art and the ability to capture each stroke and layer in large-scale prints.

For Huntington Sharma, collecting art is a journey of experimentation and pushing boundaries, witnessing the ever-evolving forms of art and recognizing time as a valuable commodity.

Mark Hilbert: A Collector's Quest for Beauty and Narrative

As a property investor and founder of the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University in Orange, California, Mark Hilbert seeks three specific qualities when adding to his collection. Beauty, interesting composition, and above all, the ability to tell a compelling story are essential elements for him.

One standout piece in his collection is Phil Dike’s “Sunday Afternoon in the Plaza de Los Angeles” (1939), a scenic oil painting that captures a frozen narrative in time. Hilbert admires Dike’s mastery of color coordination and the painting’s historical significance, depicting a time when America was on the brink of war and political tensions ran high.

Hilbert’s collection reflects his deep love for California and its diverse landscapes, from oceans and mountains to deserts and redwood forests. The collection, comprising over 1,000 pieces, serves as a visual history of California’s landscapes and artists. It includes watercolors, drawings, and oils, offering a rich array of themes that could fill exhibitions for the next two decades.

Queenie Rosita Law: Illuminating the Power of Art

During a visit to the Ludwig Museum in Budapest in 2018, Queenie Rosita Law encountered the captivating artistry of Ukrainian artist Artem Volokitin. She was instantly drawn to the “powerful energy and raw intensity” conveyed in his work. Her fascination deepened as she learned that Volokitin’s art was a response to the violence and turmoil in his native Ukraine, with his recent pieces depicting violent explosions.

Volokitin’s painting “Operating Manual” (2018) served as a catalyst for Law’s art collection journey, igniting her passion for Central and Eastern European contemporary art. Inspired by the work’s essence and its exploration of light as a physical phenomenon, Law began her dedicated pursuit of collecting and researching these artists.

For Law, Volokitin’s piece encapsulates the contradictory beauty of an explosion, reflecting the harsh reality he experienced firsthand. The interplay between fireworks and air strikes illustrates the everyday existence overwhelmed with aggression.

In 2014, Law founded Q Art Group, comprising Q Contemporary, a nonprofit art center in Budapest; Double Q Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Hong Kong; and Q Studio, a multidisciplinary art studio focused on custom artworks. Constantly seeking emerging talents and underappreciated artists, Law collects only what she believes in, and Volokitin’s mastery of light and shadow speaks to her sensibilities as a collector. The first purchase of his work marks a significant milestone in her evolving journey as an art enthusiast.

India Rose James: A Lifelong Pursuit of Diverse and Emotionally Stimulating Art

India Rose James’s connection with art has been a lifelong journey, starting from her college days when she began collecting pieces from fellow artists. As a curator, artist, and Gallery Director of Soho Revue in London, her personal taste in art is eclectic, driven by the emotional responses each piece evokes.

One significant piece in James’s collection that stirs her emotions is a print of Howard Hodgkin’s “Gate” (2014). She admires the artwork’s vibrant colors and intricate layering, created through Hodgkin’s use of carborundum printmaking—a process that allowed the seamless weaving of emerald and Indian yellow tones.

Hodgkin’s approach to abstract art, painting representational pictures of emotional situations, resonates with James and influences her overall art collection and curation for Soho Revue. The gallery reflects a diverse mix of styles and themes, providing a platform for emerging artists and offering something for every visitor to explore and connect with on a personal level. James’s passion lies in supporting artists and fostering emotional connections through art, transcending any specific art category or status.