The Art of Collecting
The Art of Collecting
by Elizabeth Talbot
The definition of a collector is a person who collects things of a specified type, professionally or as a hobby or pastime. The items collected are desirable usually because they are beautiful, valuable or interesting (and sometimes all three), at least in the eye of the collector if to no one else. Beauty can be subjective, value can be defined in lots of ways (including, but not exclusively, financial); and interest is quantified in a very personal way. However, the impact of a collection of complementary or themed items can be quite powerful to the observer; the multiplier effect of seeing a quantity of items altogether illustrates a story or highlights contrasts, it emphasises a style or pronounces a quality.
I can think of many private collections that have emerged through TW Gaze over the years that have had this effect on me. Who knew that there were so many hundreds of soap products produced over the last 150 years, in all shapes, sizes, packaging and promotional formats? A life-long collection of motorbikes from Cake Street in Suffolk gave insight into the intriguing history of two-wheel travel. There have been huge single-owner collections of mechanical music boxes, clocks and watches from the last 500 years, needle work samplers and Moorcroft pottery. We are currently cataloguing part two of an internationally important collection of Asian artefacts. There have been many, many more categories, too.
Collections sometimes grow unintentionally large, and it is only with hindsight or perhaps at the point of moving house that the enormity of the ownership becomes apparent. However, collections are great resources for information and education, they ensure heritage preservation and are a treasure trove for successive collectors. To illustrate all these points, a collection of international contemporary art is to be offered at Diss Auction Rooms on Tuesday 17th February.
The items are from the estate of a private collector in Norfolk. The works were collected over many years and sourced from all over the world, particularly the Far East and Australia. The collector had an eclectic style with a deep appreciation for different cultures and the significance of details and iconography within the works he chose. He was an avid researcher of the artwork he brought back to Norfolk, and his reference books/catalogues are also being sold alongside the art pieces to show not only incredible provenance but also his lifelong passion.
There are over 20 Australian Aboriginal works on canvas including artists such as MARY ANNE NAMPIJIMPA MICHAELS (1953-2012) and GEORGE WARD TJUNGURRAYI (B. c1945).
Plus, there are six works by Chinese artist HUANG SIMAO (b.1967) from the "Edge of Reason" series. And a superb painting by American Artist DOUGLAS STEWART (b.1960), "Morrison" from the "As Seen On TV" series of oil paintings, painted in the technique of pointillism.
The Contemporary Art Sale will take place on Tuesday 17th February from 10am at Diss Auction Rooms. We encourage you to visit these beautiful works of art in-person and our viewing days are as follows: 12th February, 1pm to 7pm. 13th February, 9am to 12pm and 16th February, 10am to 4pm.
Bidding will be live on our website, easyliveauction.com and the-saleroom.com. You can view the entire catalogue here
