31 may 2021, Oscar van Gelderen
Ask an Art Collector... Ingrid van Riet
What do art lovers like? Where do they buy their art and, most importantly, what do they buy? Every Monday an enthusiast talks about his or her bond with art. This week: cosmetic dermatologist Ingrid van Riet (age 53)
What does art mean to you?
Surrounding yourself with art usually has to do with beauty for me. Art creates atmosphere, releases emotions, makes you question things, encourages communication or discussion.
Jan De Maesschalck, Untitled, 2016, Zeno X Gallery.
Art came was part of my upbringing from a very young age.
My parents were very interested in old art, because my father restored old furniture as a hobby.
Partly due to my partner and museum and galleries visits, I can now also enjoy modern, non-figurative or experimental art. In addition, I also started very carefully purchasing several works by contemporary young artists. The move of our clinic Carpe Clinic has also been the reason to integrate art in the common areas. Our job is to bring beauty and harmony to the face, art fits very well with that!
Elise Debrock, isaBel, 2018, Gallery Sofie Van de Velde.
Where do you read about the latest developments in the art world?
Preferably live! So at an art fair, a gallery or museum.
Where do you prefer to look at art?
Most information comes from the art world itself: museums, galleries, travel and auctions. Information from digital sources is minimal for me
How often do you buy art each year?
It’s hard to put a number on it. It comes rather impulsively; when I see something that really appeals to me, I sometimes have a hard time resisting it (unless the budget doesn't allow it).
Evert Debusschere, Emile Braunplein, 2020, BruthausGallery.
Where do you do your buying: in a gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
I used to buy a lot at auctions. That was old art, furniture, decoration. In recent years mostly in galleries, because art comes my way through galleries. Close to my work there are several fascinating galleries, such as Sofie Van de Velde, which is inspiring!
Is it important that you and your partner always agree on a purchase? How do you decide?
We prefer to agree on the purchase, which can sometimes lead to discussion...
Do you have a special relationship with any one gallery?
Sofie Van de Velde and PLUS-ONE gallery are strongly represented at our place. I find the personal contact and the varied range of often young Flemish artists very fascinating there, such as Filip Vervaet.
Sara Punt, Outline, 2020, Kahmann Gallery.
If you had an unlimited budget, whose work would you buy?
A picture of Dirk Braeckman is at the top of my wish list. The discreet sensuality, the softness of the image makes his photography timeless for me. A portrait by Antoon Van Dyck (16th century) is, I'm afraid, out of reach. Alternatively, a work by Rinus Van de Velde for his surrealistic humour!
Who are your favorite artists?
Tuukka Tammisaari brings playful colourful images and evokes cheerfulness!
Jan de Maesschalck's portraits and landscapes bring me back to my roots; classic portraiture and the expression of emotions.
Miriam Tölke's collages appeal to me because of their surrealism.
Miram Tölke, Horizon, 2019, Bildhalle.
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