Stefan Heyne is for me the Gerhard Richter of contemporary photography. He completely erased the motif.
What made you want to start collecting contemporary art?
When I was 16 years old, the Museum Ludwig opened in Cologne. It housed an amazing collection of Pop Art works collected by the Ludwig couple in a newly built museum with a very progressive architecture. The whole atmosphere was impressive and motivated me to visit the museum at least once a year. I was not necessarily interested in any particular painting or object, but mostly in the overall atmosphere. After multiple visits, I noticed that there were some works that particularly stood out more compared to others. This was the first step in the development of my subjective sense of quality.
Additionally, once the TASCHEN publishing house was founded in Cologne, art books were available to me. Soon enough, I had my own small collection of art books. I first bought monographs on artists, and then books from other museums and galleries. During the 1980s, there were many successful and exceptional galleries with ambitious and international gallery programs.
I started to collect paintings and sculptures by mainly Cologne artists. Nan Goldin, Jack Pierson and Richard Kern were crucial for the development of my passion for contemporary photography.
There was never the question whether I wanted to start collecting or not. I bought works to put up in my house. And at one point, all my walls were covered and I started to ask myself whether I needed a bigger apartment. Obviously, my first reaction was: “storage”. Today, all of my office spaces are filled with art as well as my houses and my newly opened hotel, which is a wonderful place to showcase parts of my collection.
What is the main motivation behind your collecting?
It is the joy of an artwork itself. When I see it, I want to be surrounded by it.
What is your focus regarding the artists in your collection? Are you more interested in emerging or renowned artists?
It is just the question where the boundaries are. There are a number of renowned artists who are still developing very well.
What was the first artwork you purchased?
I bought my first work during an exhibition during Art Cologne in 1995. It was an amazing atmosphere with a great mix of people. I was strongly attracted to a painting of a female American artist. It was a portrait of a woman. I can’t explain to you why but I really had to have it. And this is how my first red dot was glued on the wall. The next morning, I realised that I had to spend all of my money to buy that painting. I thought it would have been impolite to resign from the purchase, so I went to the gallery to pay and pick up the work. However, I no longer regretted buying the piece as I got to see this beautiful work every night coming home.
How many artworks do you own?
I probably own a few hundred artworks.
Where do you display your collection?
Where I spent most of my time and in my hotel.
Have you ever presented your art collection publicly?
Yes, in the public areas of my hotel and in some hotel rooms.
What is your most treasured artwork?
It is embarrassing to say but it is a portrait of myself, painted by Edward Wright shortly after the birth of my daughter. I admire his work very much. It was the first and last commissioned work Edward painted, which makes it very special to me. Most importantly, it is also dedicated to my daughter.
What is your biggest regret regarding collecting?
Time. I would like to have more time to collect.
How important is it for you to meet the artists who created the artwork?
If time allows, meeting with the artist can be a wise investment of your time. It is usually a bilateral exchange. You need time and access, which applies to both parties. Sympathy for each other is also an important factor for a good exchange. Also, the artist should not only be motivated to talk for sale purposes.
Do you rely on art advisors or how do you make your decisions concerning purchases?
I follow my own eyes.
What was your happiest moment being involved in art?
Travelling to art fairs. Art fairs transform cities into something very special. They add a very exciting atmosphere to the city.
What’s your art-world pet peeve?
When a collector does not like a work because it is too cheap. I’ve seen it happen.
Who inspires you in the art world?
Benedict Taschen. He contributed so much and changed the art scene from nothing. He created access for many people, which was not possible before. Today, he still produces incredible books and art editions. Nearly everything he produces is well executed. After 25 years you expect that he will continue to produce good work. But it isn’t that easy. Every book starts from “zero”. He has to start from scratch over and over again.
I also really like the artworks in his collection.
What is your advice to young and fresh collectors?
Buy what you like. See a lot of art. The more you see, the easier it becomes to recognise good quality. The value and quality of art cannot be measured in carats like a diamond. You permanently need to have comparisons. The monetary value is anyhow decided by the market and is directed by whomever. The name of the artist does not solely create the value. Every established and renowned artist did also produce bad works.
Can you name (three) emerging artists, which should be on our watchlist?
- Stefan Heyne / Berlin.
With his photography, he challenges both photography and painting. He completely erased the motif. It is not an unusual procedure for paintings but in photography there were times when this was seen as a failure. In my opinion he is the Gerhard Richter of photography – if comparisons are legitimate. I am sure there are people who would like to kill me for this statement. It has been a known generational conflict, which looms in the valuation of painting and the comparable young art form of photography.
- Todd Hido / San Francisco.
His works contain great poetry and unlock the potential for stories that are happening in the eyes of the viewers. The works are very recognisable, even across his different series. The current market development confirms the potential I identified years ago.
- Collin Cook / Paris.
I cannot understand how this giant who looks like a Red Neck can create such works with his pencil. His photorealistic works are completed by unpracticed friends, which he invites to finish the drawings. These works have a strong conceptional background. The works are often very large and take many months to be completed. Hence, there are very few works on the market.
What are you especially excited in regard to art in the next 12 months?
That is easy to answer: Cologne Fine Art, Paris Photo, Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Cologne, Art Basel, Unseen Photo Fair Amsterdam.
