A collection of contemporary art is made with a keen eye and lots of information.
What role did art play in your childhood and teenage years? Were there any artists or collectors in your family?
My mother had some interest in fine arts and she collected works of modernist painters, but throughout my childhood I did not have any specific influence or guidance on the subject. The arts, especially paintings and sculptures, have been of interest to me for a long time. I have also always liked to draw and peruse art books.
What drew you towards the arts?
I like art for what it is. I have an immense desire to possess art that I like. I have never sold a piece of art and never bought anything for commercial interest, art is passion for me and my entire collection reflects that.
For you, what is art? Is it a passion, profession, addiction, or an alternative form of investment?
Today I see art, no longer as an expression of aesthetic or poetic sensibility, but as a historical record, a record without manipulation or censorship without officers who misrepresent or manipulate the facts. Art is great record of the human passage of life.
How actively do you participate in the public art scene? Are you a member of any art boards, institutions or networks of friends of museums?
I am associated with some of the most important cultural institutions of the State of São Paulo. This includes Modern Museum of Art of São Paulo – MAM, Pinacoteca of the State of São Paulo, Museum of Art of São Paulo – MASP, Institute of Contemporary Art – IAC and the chair Institute Figueiredo Ferraz – IFF, an institution created for the purpose of dissemination of cultural activities and where shelter, open and free collection of Figueiredo Ferraz.
How and when did you start collecting?
When I moved to São Paulo in the mid-80s, I wanted to have paintings to put up on one of the walls of my house. A friend then introduced me to an art gallery in São Paulo. This gallery, Galeria Luisa Strina, is still today one of the most important and prestigious galleries of Brazil. It was there where I started not only my collection with my first purchased piece, but also a friendship that I cherish until today. I bought a second work after some time and began to frequently attend other galleries. I came to the realization that I had filled up every wall in my house, but that did not stop me from purchasing new artwork. At that point I began to consider my purchased works the beginning of a collection.
How did you decide which artworks to collect and which direction to pursue? Was it a conscious decision or was it driven mainly by what you liked the look of?
My first buy was a piece of contemporary artwork, and I still gravitate towards that art era. Contemporary art is new and fresh, and it is generally more affordable. It also has the additional interest of not having historical reference. There are not as many texts or books on it, so if someone wants to buy it, it is risky. You have to trust your eyes and your instincts and that makes it more interesting. You need to read more and talk more with the artists and critics.
How has your taste changed since you started collecting?
Over time, I learned more about art and a variety of different art mediums besides paintings and sculptures that are available. Photographs, installations, videos, objects, and a huge variety of possibilities was offered through the field of contemporary art. Although I already had acquired a considerable amount of work, I just realized that I was forming a collection in 2001 when I was invited to an exhibition at the Art Museum of São Paulo, MAM. Seeing a significant part of the collection exposed (which had never happened since the works were boxed and stored) it became clear to me how they interacted with each other and the consistency found in that set. In my opinion, consistency remains the same, my taste has not changed but I keep adapting to new movements and incorporating new things.
How many artists are represented in your collection? How many artworks do you estimate you own?
I have roughly around 420 artists, 80% of which are Brazilians and 20% foreign, and about 750 works.
What was the first artwork you purchased and what motivated you to buy it? Do you still own it?
As previously mentioned, the first work that I bought was one from the Gallery Luisa Strina. It was a display by Brazilian painter Jorginho Guinle. It remains one of my favorite paintings in my collection today.
Who are the star artists and artworks in your collection?
In contemporary art it is very difficult to determine which is more important, the work or the artist. It requires around 50 years to see which artists and which artworks are able to stand the test of time.
How do you decide which artworks to purchase? Do you consult advisors, rely on the opinions of others or do you choose works purely on your own?
A collection of contemporary art is made with a keen eye and lots of information. Contact, not only with artists but also with critics, gallerists and curators is extremely important for gathering this information. However, that does not mean we have to accept their opinions and ratings, as they simply help us think about and understand the work. For me, it has always been that I buy exactly what I like and what appeals to me. I assume the risk myself.
What is your main motivation for collecting?
I take every opportunity to visit various museums and exhibition spaces in different places of the world. It is these visits which have helped us to create a space to host our own collection. In early 2011 we, my wife Dulce and I, inaugurated the *Institute Figueiredo Ferraz. There, we organize several shows a year, with guest curators to showcase the collection to the public. Besides the exhibitions, we offer courses and lectures on art and culture in general. The Institute welcomes an audience of about 2,000 people per month and has a job in the area of education, in partnership with the Department of Education of the State of São Paulo and the Municipality of Ribeirão Preto, through which we reach out to about 850 schools per year.
*You can find more information about the activities held at the Institute Figueredo Ferraz from their website www.institutofigueiredoferraz.com.br
