17 september 2021, Oscar van Gelderen
Ask an art collector… Tom Eerebout
What do art lovers like? Where do they buy their art and, most importantly, what do they buy? Every Monday an enthusiast tells about his bond with art in this section. This week it’s stylist/fashion consultant Tom Eerebout (age 32)
What does art mean to you?
Art to me is thought provoking and inspiring, or sometimes something I want to protect. It’s something that I take with me in life and in my work.
Were you exposed to art while growing up?
My father often took me to auctions where he bought art. My mother has always been very creative, through her my brothers and I have always been busy making things.
Where do you read about the latest developments in the art world?
Since high school I always pick up a copy of De Witte Raaf in galleries. In recent years, I have met many new artists especially through Instagram, on which I follow many galleries and art fairs.
Where do you prefer to look at art?
Ultimately, I love seeing art in person, it's such a different experience. Although I do find the internet very useful for learning new things.
How often do you buy art each year?
I buy art when I see something beautiful and can buy it. Personally, I'm especially a fan of unique work or work where I can see the artist’s hand, knowing it was made with care – inspected, a fingerprint, little mementos of the creative process.
Where do you do your buying: in a gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
I mainly buy through galleries and online.
Is it important that you and your partner always agree on a purchase?
No, neither of us thinks like that. If I see something that touches or inspires me, or that I find beautiful, I want it. Our tastes are quite similar, but are very different as well. My partner is the artist Joost Vandebrug, so I constantly see his creative process; every week there is something new on the wall that he is creating for his upcoming exhibition this month.
Do you have a special relationship with any one gallery?
In Antwerp that would be Ingrid Deuss – a gallery specialising in photography. I live right across from the gallery, so of course I have a special bond with it. Sofie Van de Velde always surprises me with her curation of different artists. I also think the Wunderwall project is brilliant..
If you had an unlimited budget, whose work would you buy?
A painting by Modigliani: there is something about the way he painted expressions, especially the eyes. I can really get sucked into his work.
Who are your favourite artists?
With Margaret Lansink it is mainly her use of material that, in combination with her photography, makes the overall picture. I find Levi van Veluw's portraits very inspiring and give me the feeling of a surreal nightmare, in which these characters are waiting for you. Through my background in fashion I got familiar with Peter Lindbergh’s very early on. What I like most about his work is the purity of his portraits, how he makes you feel that he is capturing someone 'real'. It's like sitting at the table with that person, looking straight at you during a conversation.
