03 march 2020, Oscar van Gelderen & Manuela Klerkx
Sam'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 Sam van Rooij (Group Manager Information Security at VolkerWessels, 30)
What does art mean to you?
Art tells something about yourself, and about the way you look at things. A work of art can really get under your skin, it will not let you go. That feeling is very cool! For me, art is not limited to the traditional media, such as paintings, sculptures and photography. Certain objects from nature (Exotica) also belong to this list for me.
Gijs van Lith, Untitled, (my heart never learns), 2020, MPV Gallery.
At home there was always a lot of attention for art, antiques and interior design. The nice thing is that my parents were less concerned with contemporary art and more with antiques, but now, under the influence of me and my brother, there is a cross-pollination.
Where do you get your information about the ups and downs in the art world from?
I love reading a magazine or art book, because in the end nothing beats printed material, but online prevails. I should mention Instagram here, as I often see the work of an artist there for the first time.
Where do you prefer to see art?
I love to visit private collections, because collectors make different choices than museums and that makes it interesting. Of course, I regularly make gallery and museum tours and I browse all online platforms.
How many times a year do you buy art? Do you buy editioned work or do you prefer unique works
There is no set cadence or regularity in our purchases, we are guided by what we like. Nowadays, we do try to buy unique works much more specifically (or photography in a very limited edition).
Eclipse, 2019, Bastiaan Woudt, Kahmann Gallery
And where do you buy: in the gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
All four, but usually at the gallery (even if it is at a fair). By the way, even from the artist in his or her studio is sometimes an option!
Is it important that you and your partner agree on a purchase?
We did not discuss all purchases, especially those from a few years ago when art was even more my own thing. Nowadays, we discuss purchases and share the excitement and pleasure in looking for something new.
09221, 2009, Klaas Kloosterboer, Ellen de Bruijne Projects.
I like to visit the Christian Ouwens gallery in Rotterdam, there is always a lot to see and I love the works of Armando and Eugène Brands. Another Rotterdam-based gallery I like is Cokkie Snoei. I also like to visit Gallery Caroline O'Breen and Martin van Zomeren. Axel Vervoordt is my absolute favourite in Belgium! Sofie Van de Velde and Tim van Laere are also top notch and there are many more.
If you had an unlimited budget, who would you buy a work from?
Well ... Keep those Rothko’s coming. Fontana is also high on the list and certainly also a work by members of the Japanese Gutai group, preferably by Kazuo Shiraga. I would also like to add a work by Günther Uecker and Alicja Kwade.
Who are your favourite artists?
Recently at Art Rotterdam, we were impressed by the new series by Gijs van Lith, entitled "After Nurture". The works have something destructive and yet they feel very soft. Satijn Panyigay and Bastiaan Woudt are my favourite photographers!
Hope, 2019, Satijn Panyigay, Caroline O'Breen.
