At Home With... Kasper
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Kasper, one of our beloved clients – a young, enthusiastic Photography collector. We visited him in his delightful apartment in Amsterdam and discussed his ongoing collection, his experiences, insights, and what shaped his passion for photography.
It all began around five years ago when Kasper resided in the neighbourhood of Houthavens, just around the corner from Elliott Gallery. His best friend, Hidde, already acquainted with both the gallery and its owner, Addie, had recently acquired a couple of photographs by Daniel Mirer. Kasper joined him on a visit to the gallery, not knowing that this would be the beginning of his own journey.
What drew you to the first photograph(s) you purchased?
“During my first visit to the gallery, the ‘Lips’ by Henry Horenstein caught my attention. It stood out to me, without any specific reason. It was great meeting Henry in person a few years later as well, but at that point it was just an immediate attraction to the print.
I decided to go for the ‘Marianne Faithfull’ by Gered Mankowitz too, as I had a lot of free space on my walls! Kunstkoop also helped. It’s such a great scheme for young collectors. It made it all possible for me to afford, even though I had just started working then.”
Marianne Faithfull, The Salisbury Pub, 1964 by Gered Mankowitz
Amber Ray, Los Angeles, CA, 2005 (Lips) by Henry Horenstein
What are you looking for/at when you are purchasing a photograph and what ‘connects’ you to it? Is it the subject matter, the composition, the Artist themselves?
“It's not something tangible that I can point out. It’s when I see a photograph for the first time and it makes me go ‘wow, this is amazing!’. Thinking about his collection, he is wondering if he tends to choose specific or similar compositions. “There are certain styles that I naturally admire, both from established artists and emerging ones, like David van Dartel and Prince Cartiee, but in the end the photograph just speaks to me.”
What inspired you to start a Photography Collection? Was it a premeditated process or was it something you gradually got interested in?
“It was definitely something I didn’t know. There was a lot of time between acquiring my first photograph and the second one. During the Covid pandemic, I was spending so much time at home, seeking ways to entertain myself. Coincidentally, many of my friends ended up purchasing pieces from the gallery at the same time. I stumbled upon Prince’s work on the website, which intrigued me, and I had to visit the gallery to see more.
If you keep looking at the website, you’ll keep buying! Artsy helps even more, having all the prices there!”
What contributed to the development of your Collection?
“A lot of talking by Addie!” he jokes. “She is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about her work and through our discussions, she offered valuable insights, recommendations and advice. She has never been pushy, and she is just very nice to be around! Also, attending gallery openings and regularly visiting the space allows you to keep discovering new work, artists and perspectives.”
The Beauty of the World, 6.27pm, 18th April 2022 by Christopher Bucklow
Subtracted Cartography 2, 2019 by Barnaby Irish
What advice would you give to individuals who are interested in starting their own photography collection?
“My main advice would be to see a lot of things and find what you really like. I think that’s the best starting point, find something that would make your life a little bit better.”
He points out that he doesn’t see any financial gain from it. “It’s nice if your collection has some worth which will eventually increase, but I’m not planning to make any money out of it. I would, also, highly recommend using the Kunstkoop scheme!”
If you could choose any piece from the Gallery, which one would you choose?
“There are so many! Maybe a GUEST by Bucklow. Or the one with the dog by Herbert Ponting.”
GUEST, 11.17am 12th July 2005 by Christopher Bucklow
Chris & the Gramaphone, 1911 by Herbert Ponting
Which is your favourite piece in your collection?
He explains that it varies, depending on different factors and moods. “For instance, when the weather is better and the day is bright, I am particularly drawn to Prince Cartiee’s photograph. It evokes a sense of brightness and happiness. So, my favorite piece thankfully varies, which allows me to enjoy all of them in different times of my life.”
