27 february 2020, Oscar van Gelderen & Manuela Klerkx
Emma'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 Emma van der Minne (Attorney, 32)
What does art mean to you?
Art is an outlet for me! Ultimately, art is the most special means of communication that we have, and it tends to generate many fine feelings for me.
Tom Claassen, Fabian Landewee, Untitled (Kleine Heimans), 2014, Galerie Fons Welters.
My parents used to drag me to all kinds of museums at home and abroad, especially on vacations. Now I must admit that, as a child, I didn't always love all those museum visits. For example, the annual and mandatory visit to the Jopie Huisman museum in Workum was boring for me as a child. I have the best memories of museums where there was something exciting to experience, such as an exhibition in the Groninger Museum, where you could touch the art.
Lily van der Stokker, Decent, tidy, 2014, Galerie van Gelder.
Where do you get your information about the ups and downs in the art world from?
Where not, would be more fitting here. I love browsing the entire internet for information about art, and Instagram is an important source.
Where do you prefer to see art?
Beautiful retrospective exhibitions or exhibitions in museums – which are often cool buildings on their own – are of course the most sensational. On the other hand, you meet other art lovers more often through galleries and fairs, and that social aspect is also important to me. I also like to visit the Open Days of art academies.
How many times a year do you buy art? Do you buy editioned work or do you prefer unique works
It varies a bit every year, but I think about two to five times a year. I don't care if a work is unique or editioned. If it is an editioned print, I prefer to buy one with an edition limited to ten copies. I also make grateful use of the KunstKoopregeling!
Thijs Zweers, DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION VII, 2020, Torch Gallery.
And where do you buy: in the gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
I usually get inspiration online first and then surf to the gallery or artist about which I have found information. I also buy art online, although I get less pleasure from the process than I would have from actual real-life contact with the gallery owner or artist.
Is it important that you and your partner agree on a purchase?
We don't always agree, but differences in taste are only fun. I find it more fascinating to entirely disagree about a work of art or artist, have a firm discussion about it, than to have my house is filled with "compromise art" which neither of us really enjoys.
Wouter Paijmans, Copy (Confection Painting), 2020, Annet Gelink Gallery.
My favorite gallery in Amsterdam is the Mini Galerie, which primarily sells abstract art by young artists such as Merijn Hos and Rutger de Vries. Very fresh, urban art.
If you had an unlimited budget, who would you buy a work from?
I am a huge fan of Maria Lassnig and Marlene Dumas, so having a piece by either of them would be fantastic, of course. I would also like a work by Caroline Walker.
Who are your favourite artists?
I love Tom Claassen's cheerful sculptures, Raquel van Haver’s overwhelming, large works, Guy Yanai’s colorful, dreamy paintings of everyday subjects, and Misha de Ridder’s mysterious, yet brilliant photos.
Raquel van Haver, The definition of a System, 2020, Kersgallery.
