21 november 2020
Ask an Art Collector... Nanne de Ru
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 Nanne de Ru (architect, age 44)
What does art mean to you?
As a child I could marvel at the expression in art and the beauty of the work itself. In my twenties I started to take a major interest in the stories behind the artist and the artworks, and the freedom that artists take. Now that I am older, I am starting to appreciate the craftsmanship behind the expression in the works more and more.
Rafaël Rozendaal, Extra Nervous 20 05 04, 2020, Upstream Gallery.
Were you exposed to art while growing up?
My parents had books about Rembrandt, Picasso and Edward Hopper, artists who intrigued me immensely as a child. They stimulated me enormously to start painting myself, but I decided that I would rather be an architect. Curiosity, creativity and craftsmanship are qualities that artists and architects have in common.
Where do you read about the latest developments in the art world?
I am not so much concerned with the art world as a whole, but rather with the artists and the works they make.
Koen Taselaar, The Well Meaning Snakepit, 2020, Cokkie Snoei.
Where do you prefer to look at art?
hanging side by side. I also like to visit galleries, because you can actually purchase the works. I see fairs mainly as social gatherings. I also visit the studios of the artists. Since the Covid pandemic, I have been increasingly looking at art online.
How often do you buy art each year?
I think about ten times a year. Actually always unique work, I rarely purchase editioned work.
Ron van der Ende, Grand Canyon, 2019, Galerie Ron Mandos.
Where do you do your buying: in a gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
Many purchases are based on an intuitive feeling about a work, yet my wife and I can ponder over it for a long time. We also really enjoy visiting auctions.
Is it important that you and your partner always agree on a purchase?
Most of the art I buy is in close consultation with my wife Nolly. We have really developed a vision - and in a sense, taste - about the art we buy. In addition, we designed the house in which we live together. We often combine art with antique or vintage design. In our living room, for example, a beautiful antique tapestry from the 1600s hangs next to a very nice work by Renie Spoelstra.
Renie Spoelstra, Black beach #5, Galerie Ron Mandos.
Do you have a special relationship with any one gallery?
I bought one of my first works at Ron Mandos. In one way or another he represents many artists whose work we like, such as Levi van Veluw and Katinka Lampe, but also Ron van der Ende. I would also like to mention Joep van Lieshout here, he might not run a gallery, but he makes great exhibitions with his AVL Mundo foundation.
If you had an unlimited budget, who would you buy a work from?
As a child I was fascinated by Picasso, so that would be a natural choice. Georgia O'Keefe, Matisse or Edward Hopper have also made incredible work. Not to mention Saenredam and Vermeer. Or Mondrian. On the other hand, I can also greatly appreciate works by, for example, Paul McCarthy. It's a rather eclectic list…
Who are your favourite artists?
Renie Spoelstra, for her beautiful technique, depth and atmosphere. I bought a very large work of her, a drawing of the Pacific Coast.
Koen Taselaar, for the energy and colour expressed in his work. We bought two works by Koen from Cokkie Snoei, a great Rotterdam gallery.
Ron van der Ende, also a Rotterdam artist, for his beautiful, highly skilled wall reliefs. Since we moved to Rotterdam, we have always wanted to buy one of Ron's works, and finally bought one last year.
Daniel Arsham, Daisen-in - Blue Sand Painting Horizontal, 2019, Galerie Ron Mandos.
