Curation Nation

Whether it’s to be a patron to an up-and-coming superstar or for the thrill of the hunt, the art we collect and display says a lot about what we see as worth preserving and what we view as relevant to our times. Four collectors share their approach

ARTHUR DE VILLEPIN

“When curating exhibitions and designing the gallery space, I always try to think about the critical questions and themes that are relevant to the society we are living in. I believe in presenting art with meaning; not just [hanging] paintings on the wall because they are beautiful, but putting forward art that is not only inspiring but also allows an opportunity to question yourself and how you look at the world.”

ALAN CHAN

“From an investment point of view, the next best thing after property is art. It’s more affordable and it’s sellable within a shorter period of time; it’s almost like a game for adults. [My collections reflect] my love for the beauty of life and for seeking inspiration. In fact, Rizzoli just published my book [Collecting Inspiration for Design] on precisely this topic, which is so dear to me.”

MONIQUE BURGER

“My motivation for collecting has been and is still rooted in learning and testing things out. When my husband and I started to collect more than 20 years ago, most of the artists [we collected] were young and emerging. One of the continuing goals of our collection is to follow and acquire the works of artists from different periods to cultivate a full body of their work.”

JOYCE TAM

“I’ve bought pieces for many reasons—to fill a wall space, the artist was hot at the time, the topic the piece addresses is contentious and so on. Fundamentally, however, I have to like the piece—meaning it has to be aesthetically pleasing to me. I’ve learnt that, if this essential criterion has been met, I’ll find a place to hang it, somewhere, somehow, ultimately because I love to look at it and find joy each time I revisit it. ”