The Art Of Sharing
Appreciating fine art turned a group of friends into a collective of art collectors.
You might think buying art is a particularly individual pursuit. For one group of friends, however, collecting is far more satisfying when it’s done collectively. Over the past eight years they’ve been building up an enviable art collection – and thoroughly enjoying the process of buying as buddies.
The idea to start an art club began brewing in the mind of Brisbane gallery owner Ryan many years ago. His interior-designer friend Trish would come into the gallery to buy pieces for her projects and they’d discuss establishing a buying collective. “We knew it was vital to have the right combination of people if it was going to work as we hoped,” he says.
It took them a couple of years but Trish and Ryan gathered together some likeminded mates for the initiative. Four of them – Ryan, Patricia, Phil and Rav – act as a kind of ‘editorial committee’, while the others (Matt, Alison and David) are happy to be guided.
At the beginning of each year, each member puts an agreed amount of money into a kitty. Then the fun begins: the group seeks out and purchases art for the Bowerman Collection, the name the group chose for their acquisitions.
“Our buying decisions happen in a few ways,” says Ryan. “It’s often over dinner or via a flurry of emails.” But for club member Matt, the process is at its most enjoyable when everyone gets together at one of Australia’s major art fairs. He lives in Singapore but likes to attend regardless of the distance. “It’s always a really nice social occasion,” he says. “This is a great group to be a part of and I get a lot out of my involvement with it.”
For Matt, there’s great pleasure in acquiring art that will end up on the walls of his home,
“W E FAVO U R
THE WORK OF EMERGING ARTISTS. WE DON’ T SO MUCH BUY FOR VA LU E A N D INVESTMENT; IT ’S MORE ABOUT LOV E , I N T U I T I O N A N D E D U C AT I N G O U R S E LV E S .” Matt Shang
ABOVE LEFT Art club members (from left) Ryan, Rav, Patricia, Paul, Danielle and
Matt get together at the Melbourne Art Fair.
ABOVE Mountain Sea is a 2013 oil on marine plywood work by Karen Black purchased by the Bowerman Collection. OPPOSITE
Cressida Campbell’s 2018 woodblock print
The Pool (Sophie Gannon Gallery) attracts attention at Melbourne Art Fair.
but the biggest thrill comes from educating himself about the world of art. “I’m happy to be guided by the others,” he says. “I’ve found myself part-owner of works I’d never be game to purchase as an individual collector. There’s a certain confidence that comes from buying as a group – we’re more willing to take risks.”
Ryan says he thinks about the cost differently when he’s buying on behalf of the group. “Even though I’m investing my own money, it’s also kind of not my own money. I think that changes how we approach the art.”
So far, the group has bought about 50 works ranging from abstract paintings, screen-prints and pencil drawings through to works that provoke thought on social issues. There are large installations with moving parts, neon wallhangings, photographs and sculptures rendered in concrete and bone. Certain artists are represented a few times in the collection – and this is something Trish is keen to foster. “In future, we want to go a little deeper into supporting artists whose work we admire. Some years we buy a lot; other times we have money that rolls over.”
When you’re buying on your own, the art dealer can inform your decision making, she adds. “But when you’re in a club like ours, the gallery isn’t as important; the decisions are being made within this lovely group of people. The community of thought is as important as acquiring the works themselves,” says Trish.
As likeminded as everyone is, the club is underpinned by a watertight contract. The club will disband in 2022, after 10 years of buying together. Until then, works are rotated around members’ homes. When the club winds up, the collection will be valued and equity shared among the club members, who can ‘bid’ on which works they’d like to keep for themselves. Anything not taken up will be put out to the broader art market. There are also rules about what happens in the event of divorce, death or financial hardship. “Thankfully, it’s been smooth sailing for us so far,” says Ryan, “but I know other art clubs have had problems along these lines. Our philosophy has been to collect out of a love for art rather than for its investment value. We don’t stick to buying ‘safe’ pieces that will accrue in value, any growth is simply a bonus.”
At the end of the day, there’s little difference between an art club and a book club or a bunch of car enthusiasts, says Ryan. “We all share a passion for art and following that world. We get together over a glass of wine and talk about what we love. Art fairs are great fun when you go along in a group and meet the artists whose pieces we’re interested in. It’s very rewarding.”
See the club’s entire art collection @thebowermancollection. This year’s Melbourne Art Fair takes place from
June 18 to 21; melbourneartfair.com.au.