The Scottish art collectors, Robert and Nicky Wilson, are the owners of Bonnington House, a jacobean manner, located on the border of Edinburgh. Spread across 100 acres, this family land became an ideal space to develop a visually impressive sculpture park, presenting some of the leading names of contemporary sculpture such as Anthony Gormley and Anish Kapoor.
Nicky Wilson shares with Larry’s List how their influential outdoor collection came to be.
The Collection
When did you start collecting? Were you collecting a different medium?
I have always collected sculpture and painting. I started collecting in 1999.
What made you want to start collecting contemporary art?
I don’t just collect contemporary art, I collect all art but my major understanding is within contemporary art and also as a practicing artist in my student days I am more familiar with the genre.
How long has Jupiter Artland been open for?
Since 2009.
Jupiter Artland is an interesting yet mysterious name, could you tell you us why you decided this name for your park?
The name Jupiter is the aspiration for the Artland to be rather more magical than just its place name. Obviously, Jupiter is the god of celebration, creativity and having a good time. Artland is used because there isn’t another word that is better suited. “Sculpture Park” is very formal, “Sculpture Garden” is too small. Artland reflects our intentions of putting art consciously within the landscape.
Was it always a plan of yours to open a park?
No. We started as a private collection, but as it grew we wanted to share it.
What is the main motivation behind your collecting?
That we buy work that we really enjoy by good artists.
What is your focus regarding the artists in your collection? Are you more interested in emerging or renowned artists?
I like to keep abreast of what is happening with unknown artists and we also use our gallery programme to take big leaps in young artists’ careers. We collect from all areas of contemporary art.
How many artworks do you own?
Of large outdoor works it’s 33. Our internal collection has many more.
The pieces in the park are predominantly commissioned works. What is the reason behind it?
We want to offer the artists the opportunity to engage with the landscape and extend their practice. Not just plonk. Working with Jupiter demands a little more engagement.
Are you still forming your collection? Are you aiming to develop it?
Yes. It is always growing.
How is the park organised and curated? (Are they all permanent pieces? Do you alter them around?)
We don’t alter the permanent pieces. I am of the belief that a permanent collection grows through good maintenance and care and so on, which allows it to carry on maturing within the landscape.
What was the first artwork you commissioned?
Marc Quinn, “Love Bomb”.
How does the commission take place in terms of choosing the artists, deciding on a theme or work etc?
We only ask artists whose work we have admired for a while. We have no particular themes but, usually, the artist spends a substantial amount of time to react to Jupiter and the family within it.
Which commission work have you found to be the most impressive?
“Goldsworthy quartet” is amazing. It was so underpinned by the place. One piece proposed another. He engaged over a three-year period with us.
Is there a specific artist you haven’t commissioned yet but wish to?
Can’t tell you.
Could you tell us which commission was the most expensive?
No.
How important is it for you to meet the artists who created the artwork?
It’s intrinsic. There are no commissions without interactions.
Considering your collection is outside, don’t you ever miss having art works within closer reach in your home?
We do have an indoor private collection.
Questions on other topics
Do you rely on art advisors? If not, how do you make your decisions concerning purchases?
No. It’s entirely personal.
In your opinion, how important is the role of the collector nowadays?
As the landscape of contemporary art in the UK changes, the modern collector is also seen as the philanthropist and the enabler of projects, which otherwise couldn’t happen from the public purse.
What was your happiest moment being involved in art?
British school of Rome, best year of my life!
Can you name (three) emerging artists, who should be on our radar?
Alex Dordoy, Samara Scott, Sara Barker and Nicolas Party.
Feature image: Robert & Nicky Wilson, Photo credit to Paul Vicente With Antony Gormley’s Firmament, Courtesy of Jupiter Artland.
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Claire Bouchara
