13 december 2021, Oscar van Gelderen
Ask an art collector… Brunhilde Borms
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/her love for art in this section. This week it’s Brunhilde Borms (52), freelance publisher at Borgerhoff & Lamberigts.
What does art mean to you?
For me, art means reconnecting with the child in me: the boundless curiosity, many 'why questions', not really looking for an answer to those questions, wonder and admiration, and realize for a moment that understanding is not the most important thing.
Were you exposed to art while growing up?
My youth can be called 'crumpled up' - as Peter De Graef recently put it so beautifully in the tv-broadcast 'Alleen Elvis blijft bestaan'. There was little beauty around me, and I compensated for that as a child by collecting "beautiful" things; a stone, a shell, a drawing of the teacher, a poetry album, a picture from a TV magazine.
Waar haalt u uw informatie over het wel en wee in de kunstwereld vandaan: krant, vakbladen, televisie, online?
Through my job as a publisher I come into contact with many artists. Through my three daughters I come into contact with young makers such as Shervin Sheikh Rezaei and Maxime Brigou. I like to read The Art Couch.
Where do you prefer to look at art?
Art fairs are not really for me. I often go to museums, attend many gallery openings, like to scroll on Instagram and also really enjoy browsing art books.
How often do you buy art each year?
Last year I bought work by Shervin Sheik Rezaei, François Genicot, Thomas Renwart, Bert De Geyter, Nicholas Van Parys, Dolores Bouckaert, Jesse Willems, Ilse Selhorst, Ben Benaouisse and Silver Linings & Tramaine de Senna. I like to support young artists by purchasing a work.
Where do you do your buying: in a gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
My husband mostly buys at (online) auctions, I never do. All the works that I have bought, I bought in the presence of the artist, either in his/her studio, or from the gallerist at a (group) exhibition.
Is it important that you and your partner always agree on a purchase?
We actually like to surprise each other with our purchases. We are free to do as we please in that respect. He knows that when I go to a gallery, I usually come back with a receipt.
Do you have a special relationship with any one gallery?
I am currently working on a book with Greet Umans from Schönfeld Galerie. That creates a bond, of course. I also regularly visit Bruthaus Gallery, Zeno X, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Galerie Gevaert and Galerie Regent-Reychler.
If you had an unlimited budget, whose work would you buy?
On my wish list is a work by Ronan Bouroullec. His very first solo exhibition is currently on at Galerie kreo in London. Visiting London is a bit more difficult during this period, but I will do everything I can to get there. Who knows…
Who are your favourite artists?
Thomas Renwart (Les Monseigneurs) and I have become good friends; not only his art charms me, also his sparkling personality. Thomas brings a lot of joy to my life.
Jesse Willems' collage work is everything and more to me, it's brushstrokes, it's photography, they are truly fantastic compositions.
When I was in Paris recently, Martin Margiela's exhibition at Lafayette Anticipations was at the top of my must-see list. It was an explosion in my head and heart – his eye for detail and aesthetics is something I have rarely seen before.
