This interim blog will be the point of view of a private art collector in Boston, from whom I had the chance to take an interview (only part of the interviews will be in the blogs, since I want the rest to remain a mystery for now!) on the grounds of the ArchivorumArk project, and see two of Babs’s artworks. I understand that it is quite different from my previous blogs, but I really believe that it will be quite interesting to see how an art collector thinks. Now, on to the interview!
Christianna : How did you start collecting artworks and why?
Private collector : I was an art history major in college and my husband - before we were married - gave me a Käthe Kollwitz, a German expressionist print. After our marriage, we started collecting artworks and paid about $100 for each piece. And then, I don't know, maybe 15 years later, we got interested in ceramics. So, we began collecting ceramics and we now possess a very fine collection that is going to be exhibited. Among them, both of Babs’s pieces will go to a museum. And that exhibition will be held in 2025, in Rhode Island, which is not very far away from here, accompanied by a catalogue. There will be probably about, I don't know, 80 pieces in the exhibition.
Image 1: Troubled Walls, 1996, as placed in the collector's house
C : From your collection?
P.: Yeah, just our collection.
Image 2: Troubled Walls, 1996
C. : And how many ceramics do you have?
P. : Ceramics, probably 200.
C. : Do you have them all here in your house or do you keep them in storage?
P. : No, they are all here.
C. : And do you remember how you met her? How did you learn about Babs Haenen?
P. : I don't remember. We have been to her studio a few times over the years. The piece in the dining room, we commissioned it to her. We had seen somewhere a piece of hers that we liked, and we asked if she would make a similar one for us.
Image 3: Resistance, 2008, as placed in the collector's house
C. : When you saw Babs for the first time, what did you think about her?
P. : She is kind of lively and fun. And smart. So, we enjoyed meeting her. I like how her work represents what interests us the most, that is the painterly and sculptural quality. Those same qualities can be found in our collection as a whole. I am very fond of many of her artworks, and I have friends who very much like her work as well. It's easy to like her work.
C. : Your impression about her before knowing her personally, did it change after you started hanging out and talking to her?
P. : Well, I just loved having someone like her as a friend. You know, she's very dedicated to what she does. It's not just a hobby to her. It's something she really likes doing and she spends a lot of time doing it. And she does it very well.
Image 4: Troubled Walls, 1996, other side
C. : Are you planning to commission or buy a new artwork of Babs’s?
P. : No, I don't think we're planning to do either. You know, we don't have much space left. And both pieces will go to a museum as they have already put them on their list. So, that's nice.
C. : Are you going to give them forever or will you take them back?
P. : Yes, they will remain in the museum forever.
C. : What do you like most about Babs’s artworks?
P. : I just love the irregularity, the colour and the movement. And of course, the second one is so different, you know. I found it impressive how she pushed in her artwork all the little squares. And the way she dealt with the inside; I think that's a beautiful piece. I love them both. There is hardly any of her work that I don’t like. It looks spontaneous, but I know that it takes a long time for her to make each piece.
Image 5: Resistance, interior detail
C. : Thank you for receiving me at your home and for this interview!
P. : You’re welcome!
On to the next part of our journey! ヽ(•‿•)ノ
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