Independent Collectors

The David Bowie Collection

After the auction house Sotheby’s unveiled Bowie’s art collection to the public the title “art collector” is another one long overdue.

PIER GIACOMO and ACHILLE CASTIGLIONI, Brionvega Radiophonograph, model no RR 126, 1965. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
PIER GIACOMO and ACHILLE CASTIGLIONI, Brionvega Radiophonograph, model no RR 126, 1965. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist

The list of professions and titles associated with David Bowie is long: musician, actor, icon, artist, critic, patron, publisher, curator and magazine editor. After the auction house Sotheby’s recently unveiled Bowie’s art collection to the public the title “art collector” is another one long overdue.

For decades David Bowie had been collecting art “obsessively and addictively”. Over time he has built an impressive collection that is driven by passion and a deep personal interest in the arts, from which he constantly sought inspiration: In a 1998 New York Times Article Bowie commented on Frank Auerbach’s work: “My God, yeah! I want to sound like that looks”.

Born and raised in London, Bowie’s collection naturally features some of the most important British artists of the 20th century, including names like Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland, Damien Hirst and, of course, Frank Auerbach. However, the art Bowie collected is by no means restricted to British artists but further transcends into other genres such as Contemporary African art or works from early century pioneers like Marcel Duchamp and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Consequently Bowie’s collection spans across all mediums: from paintings on canvas, readymade sculptures to furniture and design that bridges the gap between art and music such as a piece of 1960s Italian design in the form of a playful stereo cabinet.

From 1-10 November 2016 Bowie’s art collection can be visited at Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries in London. Shortly after the exhibition ends, Sotheby’s will stage a three part sale, which includes a selection of around 400 items from Bowie’s private collection. In this online exhibition IC shares some of its highlights.

Art was, seriously, the only thing I’d ever wanted to own.

DAVID BOWIE

ROMUALD HAZOUMÈ, Alexandra, 1995. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
ROMUALD HAZOUMÈ, Alexandra, 1995. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
FRANK AUERBACH, Head of Gerda Boehm, 1965. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
FRANK AUERBACH, Head of Gerda Boehm, 1965. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
ETTORE SOTTSASS, ‘Casablanca’ Sideboard, 1981. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
ETTORE SOTTSASS, ‘Casablanca’ Sideboard, 1981. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, Air Power, 1984. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, Air Power, 1984. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
DAMIEN HIRST, Beautiful, Shattering, Slashing, Violent, Pinky, Hacking, Sphincter Painting, 1995. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
DAMIEN HIRST, Beautiful, Shattering, Slashing, Violent, Pinky, Hacking, Sphincter Painting, 1995. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
HAROLD GILMAN, Interior (Mrs Mounter), 1917. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist
HAROLD GILMAN, Interior (Mrs Mounter), 1917. Photo: Sotheby's, © the artist

London (18)

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Newport Street Gallery

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Franks-Suss Collection

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Mark Hicks Collection

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A peek inside the exhibition that looks at the status of an artist in the mainstream art world.

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In collaboration with Marina Ribera Iñigo, director and consultant at IñigoArt, we present the new video series "Collectors at Home".

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Interview about how it was to grow up with collector parents.

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The Zabludowicz Collection presents the immersive and off-kilter solo exhibition by American artist Shana Moulton.

The Radical Eye

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The construction of identity in the digital age.

Zabludowicz – 20 Years of Collecting

Anita Zabludowicz first began collecting in 1994. The collection initially featured artists such as Michael Landy, Keith Tyson, Gillian Wearing as well as others from the 1990s YBA generation when they were still at the beginning of their careers.