Independent Collectors

Letters to Pia

Having been given the chance to acquire intimate images of Morrisroe’s muse, Pia Howard, Boston-based collector Adam Larson speaks to IC about his relationship with the following photographs, and of course about Pia.

“In 1995, I saw an exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston titled The Boston School which focused on the works of six artists living and working in Boston in the late 70s-early 80s including Mark Morrisroe, Jack Pierson, David Armstrong, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Nan Goldin, Tabboo! and Shellburne Thurber. Collectively, their work redefined traditional notions of portraiture as they turned their cameras on each other producing a new aesthetic that was part documentary and part autobiographical. Their snapshot approach captured intimate and often raw moments of their relationships with each other, their friends, families, lovers, and various subcultures they were part of. That show had a great impact on me as an aspiring artist, and triggered what would become an extreme love for this genre of photography and this group of artists in particular.

In 2008 I met a woman by the name of Pia Howard at an event I was speaking at at Boston University. She radiated with a vibrant youthful energy, a distinct sense of style and the brightest smile. We clicked immediately and a friendship was born. A few weeks later I received a call from Pia asking if I would be interested in buying some photographs she was looking to sell. Intrigued, I went to her apartment to see the work and my mind was blown.

It turns out Pia was part of the gang. She too was a Boston girl and met Mark Morrisroe and Jack Pierson through the punk scene that was evolving in Boston in the 80’s. She lived with Mark during that time and became one of his muses, starring in his most well known film titled “Nymphomaniac”, as well as countless photographs. Over the years, she had amassed a personal collection of snapshots, letters, postcards, and artworks through her relationships with this dynamic circle of individuals.

Pia was very aware of how influential Mark was on this group of artists and because he died so young, how important preserving his work was. She was at a point where she could no longer properly care for her collection and wanted to make sure it was in the hands of someone who could. As we shared our stories that day she knew she had found the right person to look after the works, and I willingly accepted.

This exhibit provides a glimpse into the lives of these individuals and their relationships. It consists of excerpts of the larger collection accompanied by additional works that I have acquired by the same artists.”

MARK MORRISROE, Pia in the Tub. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Pia in the Tub. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Pia in the Tub. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Pia in the Tub. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Handwritten letter to Pia from Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
JACK PIERSON, Pia in the Combat Zone, 1990. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Pia in the Combat Zone, 1990. Courtesy Adam Larson
Mark Morrisroe signed invitation to 1988 show addressed to Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Mark Morrisroe signed invitation to 1988 show addressed to Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Jack Pierson, Hummingbird Hotel, 1990 (from the Hungry Years). Courtesy Adam Larson
Jack Pierson, Hummingbird Hotel, 1990 (from the Hungry Years). Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Charlie, 1998. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Charlie, 1998. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, From Every Single One of Them. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, From Every Single One of Them. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, For Peter, 1998. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, For Peter, 1998. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Pia in Mirror. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Pia in Mirror. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Hand-Painted Postcard. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Hand-Painted Postcard. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Slow, 2009. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Slow, 2009. Courtesy Adam Larson
NAN GOLDIN, Jen's hand on Clemen's back, Paris, 2001. Courtesy Adam Larson
NAN GOLDIN, Jen's hand on Clemen's back, Paris, 2001. Courtesy Adam Larson
MARK MORRISROE, Photographic Print with hand lettering. TEXT READS: "to pia on christmas 1987" Morrisroe 85 John Stefenelli (Baby) Artist Proof. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Photographic Print with hand lettering. TEXT READS: "to pia on christmas 1987" Morrisroe 85 John Stefenelli (Baby) Artist Proof. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Nathan Shapiro, Age 17. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Nathan Shapiro, Age 17. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
DAVID ARMSTRONG, Christopher Wool, Elizabeth Street, NYC, 1980. Courtesy Adam Larson
DAVID ARMSTRONG, Christopher Wool, Elizabeth Street, NYC, 1980. Courtesy Adam Larson
MARK MORRISROE, Self Portrait in Paris 1981 by Lesbian Jailbate, © 1984. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MARK MORRISROE, Self Portrait in Paris 1981 by Lesbian Jailbate, © 1984. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Typed letter from Ramsey McPhillips to Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson
Typed letter from Ramsey McPhillips to Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson
Typed letter from Ramsey McPhillips to Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson
Typed letter from Ramsey McPhillips to Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Portrait of John Stefanelli. Courtesy Adam Larson
JACK PIERSON, Portrait of John Stefanelli. Courtesy Adam Larson
Photobooth photo of Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Photobooth photo of Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
MIKE STARN, Untitled. Courtesy Adam Larson
MIKE STARN, Untitled. Courtesy Adam Larson
Design by Jack Pierson. Courtesy Adam Larson
Design by Jack Pierson. Courtesy Adam Larson
MIKE STARN, Hand-written note to Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson
MIKE STARN, Hand-written note to Pia. Courtesy Adam Larson
Snapshot of Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Snapshot of Mark Morrisroe. Courtesy Adam Larson, © The Estate of Mark Morrisroe (Ringier Collection) at Fotomuseum Winterthur
Richard Morel. Courtesy Adam Larson
Richard Morel. Courtesy Adam Larson
Snapshot of Mark and Siri (Pia’s Sister). Courtesy Adam Larson
Snapshot of Mark and Siri (Pia’s Sister). Courtesy Adam Larson

USA (55)

West Collection

Since 1996, Al & Paige West have been building an impressive collection, including works by artists such as Donald Judd, Martin Boyce, and Candice Breitz.

Valeria Napoleone

The Italian-born collector actively seeks out under­represented positions and therefore only acquires works by women artists.

Christine and Andrew Hall

Interview with the collectors behind Hall Art Foundation

Gary Yeh

IC talks to Gary Yeh.

de la Cruz Collection

Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz, the co-founders of the renowned collection that bears their name, are always quick to highlight the importance of education when discussing the role the De La Cruz Collection plays in the Miami community.

The Broad Collection

Walking down the Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, right by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), you can’t help but be struck by the angular construction of The Broad and its bright white honeycomb exterior.

Marciano Art Foundation

Maurice and Paul Marciano, founders of the GUESS jeans brand, in their five-thousand-square-meter exhibition space

The Mallin Collection

Nestled on 15 acres in the scenic town of Pound Ridge, New York, Buckhorn Sculpture Park features gardens, woodlands, a lake and an orchard.

Transformer Station

Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell’s transformation of an electrical power station in Cleveland

The Goss-Michael Foundation

A place that grew out of a romantic connection between Kenny Goss and the late pop music legend, George Michael

Franks-Suss Collection

Initially focused on China, collectors Simon Franks and Robert Suss soon widened their purview

Mera & Donald Rubell

Five quick questions, five short answers by the famous couple behind the Rubell Family Collection

Thoma Foundation

Two intimate art spaces in Chicago and Santa Fe encourage dialogue between work and viewer

Martin Margulies

Interview with the collector behind the Margulies Collection

Seth Stolbun

The Houston native collector almost exclusively acquires works from artists that he has a personal relationship with

The Donum Collection

Wine tasting and Crouching Spider by Louise Bourgeois

March 8th 2022

The Stolbun Collection presents “March 8th 2022”, likely the only exhibition at Ferndale–Seth Stolbun’s rental home, as captured by his iPhone

Rubell Family Collection

Curator Joey Lico teams up with artist Alexis Diaz to visit the mighty Rubell Museum in Miami

Saint Georgina Slays The Dragon

A new collection on IC, see inside The Bennett Collection, which is focused on figurative realism, specifically the realistic, painted depiction of women by women.

Flippin The Script with Armand-Paul Family Collection

In “Flippin The Script” we warmly welcome the Armand-Paul Family Collection in New York to IC, with its focus on the African and Latin diasporas, and interest in performance.

Donna Huanca – Obsidian Ladder

Skin painting artist Donna Huanca participates in the current MAF project series, exploring gender and sexuality in contemporary life.

We Still Have Wild Birds Here

Overlooked American artist Gene Beery (b. 1937), declared and depicted reflections in his paintings with a relevant truth and irony that is no less today.

Life Cycle

The Marciano Art Foundation hosted Ai Weiwei for the third MAF Project in their Theatre Gallery.

The Wig Museum

LA's MAF was inaugurated in 2017 with a solo show of Jim Shaw, curated by Philipp Kaiser.

Carl & Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation

Delve into the digital art of the collection exhibited across two spaces.

Art Now, Art Forever: Damon Zucconi

As collectors dedicated to following artist careers in depth and breadth, Clayton Press and Gregory Linn describe their on-going relationship to the work of Damon Zucconi, whose works are frequently accessible online.

www.Simco Web Works

In context of exposing art digitally and exposing digital art, we wanted to present artworks that have only and always existed on the web, as URLs, here in the collection of Stefan Simchowitz.

Responding to Nature

Tucked away in the vineyard’s of San Francisco you’ll find the secret sculpture park of Nancy and Steve Oliver.

Go Figure / Alec Soth

This summer, the Pizzuti Collection will feature two exhibitions featuring works taken from the private collection of Ron and Ann Pizzuti.

John Morrissey

Discover is a keyword for the American attorney and art collector John Morrissey, who directs his focus towards emerging contemporary artists.

Roberto Toscano

It all started with the purchase of an etching by Richard Serra in 2011, which turned out to serve as the very foundation for Roberto Toscano’s art collection.

Stefan Simchowitz Collection

L.A.’s most controversial art collector opens up his private collection of contemporary painting.

Carole Server

The New York-based collectors with an enthusiasm for patronage and education.

Force and Form

The private collection studying contemporary visual culture.

Elayne & Marvin Mordes

The sun has just risen over the eaves when we meet on Park Avenue one peaceful January morning and Marvin and Elayne Mordes seem just the way we’d had hoped – warm, open and sympathetic.

Buckhorn Sculpture Park

Located in the scenic town of Pound Ridge, New York, you’ll find the private home of collector couple Sherry and Joel Mallin and their Buckhorn Sculpture Park.

Visions From India

The exhibition “Transforming Vision” includes some of the most prominent Indian artists working today, with all forty works coming from the Pizzuti Collection.

Clayton Press & Gregory Linn

Since 1980, Clayton Press and Gregory Linn – New Jersey collectors – have evolved from being energetic art aficionados to art market specialists.

Steve Shane

Manhattan-based collector Steve Shane is completely in love with art.

Soul Of A Nation: Art In The Age Of Black Power 1963-1983

HEAR this Online Exhibition, exclusively put together with an abundance of images, to view whilst listening to a curated playlist by Quincy Jones.

The Broad Survey Of Shirin Neshat

Downtown L.A.’s The Broad presents Shirin Neshat in an immersive survey.

PHANTASMAGORIA

Exhibition at the Stolen Collection

The Herskovic Collection

A fanatic collector of Abstract Expressionist Painting.

The Dikeou Collection — Part III

A variety of artworks by both established and emerging artists.

The Dikeou Collection — Part IV

A variety of artworks by both established and emerging artists.

The Dikeou Collection – Part II

Artworks by both established and emerging artists, ranging from installations, sculpture, photographs, videos, drawings, to painting.s.

The Dikeou Collection – Part I

Founded in 1998 by the siblings Pany and Devon Dikeou, the Dikeou Collection is located in downtown Denver.

Times of Change

New York-based collector Gregory Vinitsky has been dedicated to collecting contemporary since the 1970s.

Working Hard for Art

An art consultant and curator by day, the Brooklyn-based Collector is a self proclaimed “gutsy newcomer”, working with emerging artists to help her push her collection further.

Chaotic Contemporary

Chicago based collector Troy Klyber, is a contemporary art collector that loves to engage in a bit of chaos.

No Man’s Land

Just in time for the opening of Art Basel Miami Beach 2015, the Rubell Family Collection/Contemporary Arts Foundation has opened its new exhibition, “NO MAN’S LAND: Women Artists from the Rubell Family Collection”.

Select Works from the Stolbun Collection

The Stolbun Collection has turned its attention to featuring younger American artists

R F Jefferies – Don’t Postpone Joy

A look inside the collection of San Diego-based collector R F Jefferies.

THE OJIKUTU COLLECTION

Exquisite showcase of treasures of African art, culture, and history