06 february 2020, Oscar van Gelderen & Manuela Klerkx
Nina's pick...
In this section we let a selection of art lovers – from occasional buyers to art professionals – talk about their perception of art and preferences: where do they want to see art? Where do they purchase art, and above all: from which artists do they buy? Below, an interview with Nina van Heuveln (Art adviser at Heuv, 30)
What does art mean to you?
Art is interesting to me if it does something to me, triggers an emotion, stimulates my senses. Art does not necessarily have to be aesthetic, the context is particularly important to me.
Did you get an appreciation of art from your parents?
My parents collect antiques and I don't really care much for that. While studying art history at university, I started working for a number of contemporary art galleries in Amsterdam. That opened up a whole new world for me.
Maaike Schoorel, Parsley, 2019, Galerie Stigter Van Doesburg.
Where do you get your information about the ups and downs in the art world from?
To keep abreast of what's going on in the art world, I read the The Art Newspaper and the Dutch art magazine See All This. In addition, I see a lot on Instagram: it is a place to discover new artists.
Where do you prefer to see art?
I'm a big fan of art fairs, because you see such a great variety of art and art forms in one place - from young emerging artists to household names, and it's all for sale! The Frieze London and Art Basel fairs are a fixture in my schedule every year. I often go out on my own, looking for art for my clients. I also regularly organize guided tours for groups of collectors at the fairs. Art Rotterdam, which takes place this week, is one of my annual highlights when it comes to art in the Netherlands. I am extremely curious about the performance art that will be on show for the first time this edition. An art form that I am still unfamiliar with.
How many times a year do you buy art? Do you buy editioned work or do you prefer unique works
I started buying art not so long ago. Thanks to the KunstKoopregeling I have been able to purchase a number of photos, but also a few unique works in the past four years.
Janine van Oene, Lorum Ipsum, 2018, Gerhard Hofland.
And where do you buy: in the gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
Often at galleries, but thanks to studio visits sometimes also directly at the artist. I still find buying online a bit tricky, unless I am familiar with the work, since I always want to see and feel the artwork in real life.
Is it important that you and your partner agree on a purchase?
Yes, as soon as there is serious interest in a work, we always first discuss this with each other. It does make a difference that we often have the same taste and think alike about art.
Is there a gallery you have a special connection with?
Those are the galleries I have worked for, including GRIMM and Marian Cramer Projects. Also, I like to go to No Mans Art Gallery and Mini Gallery, which are both run by young women and represent many young artists, to be surprised and inspired.
If you had an unlimited budget, who would you buy a work from?
If I may dream, then I’d go for a painting by Cy Twombly or Peter Doig. Also, among my favorites are Louise Bourgeois’s sculptures and Alexander Calder’s mobiles.
Who are your favourite artists?
Maaike Schoorel's "slow art" works are exciting and yet minimal due to the use of color - her works continue to fascinate me over and over again.
I am also a big fan of the paintings by Janine van Oene and the golden works by Sarah van Sonsbeeck are interesting because of the story behind them.
Sarah van Sonsbeeck, Security Space # 10, 2018, Annet Gelink Gallery.
