26 april 2021, Oscar van Gelderen & Manuela Klerkx
Ask an Art Collector... Jaap Rodrigues Pereira
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 Jaap Rodrigues Pereira (Independent financial adviser, age 72)
What does art mean to you?
Over time, art has developed into my great hobby, I may say: passion. I have worked in a completely different sector, banking, but from my adolescence, I have been involved in art, gradually more and more intensively. Initially only passive, looking, later on, as a hobby, I picked up sculpting myself.
Marinke van Zandwijk, Tangle, Aurora Rotlich, 2020, Galerie Franzis Engels.
In my childhood home, art did not play a very active role, but my parents certainly had a good sense of beauty, subscribed to the "Public Art Property" series and watched Pierre Jansen; he was a journalist, museum director turned TV presenter who hosted AVRO’s Kunstgrepen from 1959 to 1972.
From the age of 22, I started going to galleries regularly, and discovered that "real art" was not priceless at all. I bought my first unique peace - a beautiful watercolour by Dora Esser - around that time, and my first sculpture - my favourite art form - a few years later, when I had a job and the money for it: a beautiful statuette by Han Wezelaar.
Levi van Veluw, Covered circle, 2020, Galerie Ron Mandos.
Where do you read about the latest developments in the art world?
To me, information about art mainly means: looking. I usually rely on my feeling when I buy art. Afterwards, my partner, who trained as an art historian, can explain to me flawlessly why it is a good work. I visit a lot of museums and galleries and see a lot on Facebook and online auctions, for example at Invaluable.com
Stefan Gross, Flower Bonanza - Glow, 2021, Rademakers Gallery.
Where do you prefer to look at art?
I prefer to look at art in a museum; there you will find optimal peace and concentration. In addition, galleries, for discovering new art. And for orientation to what is happening in the art world, the internet is ideal, of course. But the best part is of course: enjoying your own art at home.
How often do you buy art each year?
That varies greatly and depends on when I come across something that appeals to me. Nowadays, I limit myself to unique work, aside the occasional exception.
Tomas Schats, huis varen, 2017, RAM.
Where do you do your buying: in a gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
I buy where I see work that I want, usually at a gallery or at an (online) auction. And from artists with whom I am acquainted at their studios.
Is it important that you and your partner always agree on a purchase?
My partner and I have a similar sense of quality, and share a preference for modern and contemporary art, but our preferences often differ. We therefore make our own choices.
Maartje Korstanje, Untitled, 2019, RAM.
Do you have a special relationship with any one gallery?
Since my arrival in Rotterdam in 1995, I have been intensively involved with RAM Galerie. There I became acquainted with the work of many interesting artists, and I was also involved in the management of the RAM Foundation, which - in addition to the gallery - organizes activities to the benefit of the arts.
Jan Eric Visser, Zonder Titel/Untitled 2013, RAM Galerie.
If you had an unlimited budget, whose work would you buy?
Then I would choose (if necessary) between a sculpture by Alberto Giacometti and one by Henry Moore.
Wie zijn je favoriete kunstenaars (op GalleryViewer), en waarom?
Jan Eric Visser, because of the unique way in which he converts worthless materials into beautiful art and fortunately, finally has the wind at his back because his theme - waste recycling - which he has been working on for decades receives lots of media coverage these days.
Stefan Gross makes aesthetic objects that are surprising through the use of materials and colour.
Marie Cecile Thijs for the connection she makes with classical art through her photography.
Marie Cecile Thijs, Citrus & Glass, 2020, SmithDavidson Gallery.
