BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors

Jo Baring

Curator of Sculpture Series, Masterpiece London

Jo Baring, Curator of Sculpture Series, Masterpiece London. Photo: Phil Adams
Jo Baring, Curator of Sculpture Series, Masterpiece London. Photo: Phil Adams

Tell us a little bit about the history of Sculpture Series, as part of the cross-collecting fair, Masterpiece London.

Masterpiece is such an exciting Fair to visit because of the cross-collecting idea. Guests are introduced to objects and artworks they might otherwise not be able to see. Sculpture has always been an integral part of Masterpiece Fair. It’s well known for the dramatic monumental sculptures outside at the entrance to the Fair. This is the inaugural Sculpture Series at Masterpiece and I’m delighted to be working with Masterpiece to present a variety of sculptures from exhibitors which demonstrate the variety of materials and domestic potential of sculpture.

How do you, as the first external curator to work with Masterpiece London, ensure that the Sculpture Series program stays contemporary and current in the fast-paced world this is the art market?

The artwork comes first – it is important to me to consider the sculpture visually and academically. I think it’s important not to follow trends, and have actually highlighted some artists who perhaps will be new to visitors. I am also interested in showcasing different aspects of an artist’s work – so for example I have included one of our best known contemporary artists, Gary Hume. The fact that he makes sculpture is a surprise to most people.

Installation view of Susie MacMurray’s Medusa, 2014-2015 from Pangolin London, at Masterpiece London 2019. Photo: Ben Fisher
Installation view of Susie MacMurray’s Medusa, 2014-2015 from Pangolin London, at Masterpiece London 2019. Photo: Ben Fisher
Installation view of Tony Cragg, Bust, 2014 from Jerome Zodo Gallery at Masterpiece London 2019. Photo: Ben Fisher
Installation view of Tony Cragg, Bust, 2014 from Jerome Zodo Gallery at Masterpiece London 2019. Photo: Ben Fisher

Is there something in this year’s program that you are particularly looking forward to?

I’m most looking forward to an In Conversation I am hosting with Gary Hume at the Fair on Monday 1 July at 7pm. Gary is one of our most celebrated contemporary artists and rarely speaks in public. We will be talking about the importance of sculpture in his practice, and the talk will be illustrated with never before seen photographs from his studio of new pieces he is working on. Masterpiece has a great talks programme, and I would highly recommend visitors to attend a talk when they visit Masterpiece. There really is something for everyone.

What do the artworks being presented at this year’s Masterpiece Sculpture Series reveal about the current trends and market?

I think there is a general trend to identify artists who have historically been overlooked. So artists who are in all the right institutions, who had excellent critical reception and exhibitions during their lifetime, but perhaps the market has not quite caught up. Robilant + Voena are presenting works by Pietro Consagra, who, whilst extremely well thought of in his native Italy, is less well known here and therefore presents an opportunity to collectors. There are also younger women artists gaining commercial success, such as Susie MacMurray in the Sculpture Series, shown by Pangolin London.

Installation view of Anthony James’ 80" Icosahedron, 2019 from Opera Gallery at Masterpiece London 2019. Photo: Ben Fisher
Installation view of Anthony James’ 80" Icosahedron, 2019 from Opera Gallery at Masterpiece London 2019. Photo: Ben Fisher

What advice do you have for the collectors that will be attending the fair this year?

Definitely attend a talk! The education aspect of Masterpiece is what sets the fair apart. The talks are free, and either take place in the lecture theatre or – for those with less time – there are shorter, focused talks on exhibitor stands. I would also recommend that visitors take advantage of all the knowledge in one place. Talk to the exhibitors! They are all extremely knowledgeable experts in their fields, so it is a wonderful opportunity to discuss, ask questions and learn.

In addition to the Sculpture Series, what exhibition or event is on your “must-see” list?

I can’t wait to see the Phyllida Barlow presentation by Hauser & Wirth. Phyllida’s show at the Royal Academy has just closed, and it is a very special opportunity to see a work by one of our leading artists. It is a testament to Masterpiece’s position and standing that this work will be shown at the Fair.

Masterpiece London 2019 sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada will take place from 27 June – 3 July (preview 26 June) at Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.

All images courtesy Masterpiece London, Great Britain

More Information on Masterpiece London

Insiders (70)

ISSA MASÉ

Emerging Collectors - The Ori House

Pieter and Carla Schulting

The Schulting Art Collection

KOO HOUSE MUSEUM

Exhibition venue with the theme ‚Living with Art‘

Wilhelmina Jewell Strong - Sparks

Founder of BiTHOUSE Projects - BAAR Art Journey

MATTHIAS ARNDT

Collector behind the ARNDT Collection

Sandra Guimarães

Director of Museum of Contemporary Art Helga de Alvear

Grazyna Kulczyk

Founder of Muzeum Susch

THE FAIREST

Interview with Georgie Pope and Eleonora Sutter, Co-founders

Kamiar Maleki

Director at VOLTA

Gallery Weekend Berlin 2022

Tokini Peterside

Founder and Director, ART X Lagos

Poka-Yio

Founding Director of the Athens Biennale

Boris Ondreička

Artistic Director of viennacontemporary

Maribel Lopez

Director of ARCO

David Gryn

Founder and Director of Daata

Fondation Beyeler Audiovisual Broadcast

Fondation Beyeler and Nordstern Basel present Dixon x Transmoderna

Gary Yeh

Founder of ArtDrunk and Young Collector

WATCH: The Best of the BMW Art Guide

Where will you travel next to explore art?

Maike Cruse

2020 Gallery Weekend Berlin

Touria El Glaoui

Founding Director of 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair

Johann König

Messe in St. Agnes

PArt - Producers Art Platform

A crisis initiative to help artists directly affected by the pandemic

Barbara Moore

CEO of Biennale of Sydney

Unique Collector’s Item

by Independent Collectors

Alix Dana

Fair Director at Independent

When Collectors are Able to Commission

by Nicole Büsing and Heiko Klaas

Juliet Kothe and Julia Rust

Initiators of Collection Night, Berlin

Marie-Anne McQuay

Curator of Wales in Venice, 58th Venice Biennale 2019

Dorothy and Herb Vogel

Two extraordinary art collectors

Heather Hubbs

Director at NADA

Every Art Collection Needs Space

by Nicole Büsing and Heiko Klaas

Collecting Art with François Pinault

Rudolf Stingel at Palazzo Grassi

A Common Ground

by Silvia Anna Barrilà

Caroline Vos

Director at Amsterdam Art Weekend

Hidden Collections

by Nicole Büsing and Heiko Klaas

Nicole Berry

Executive Director of The Armory Show

Daniel Hug

Fair Director at Art Cologne

The Role of the Art Fair

by Silvia Anna Barrilà

Peter Bläuer

Director at LISTE

A Brush Against Nature

by Nicole Büsing and Heiko Klaas

Ilaria Bonacossa

Director of Artissima

Excessiveness, the Latent Danger of Collecting Art

by Independent Collectors

Jo Stella-Sawicka

Artistic Director at Frieze

Florence Bourgeois

Director at Paris Photo

Where Artists Can Work More Playfully

by Christiane Meixner

Specifically Commissioned

by Silvia Anna Barrilà

Manuela Mozo

Executive Director of UNTITLED, ART Miami and San Francisco

Important Museums and Private Collections

by Christiane Meixner

Susanna Corchia

Director of the Barcelona Gallery Weekend

Emilia van Lynden

Artistic Director at Unseen, Amsterdam

Carlos Urroz

Director at ARCOmadrid

Shoe Smudges Streaked Across the White Walls

by Christiane Meixner

Amanda Coulson

Director at VOLTA Basel

Douwe Cramer

Director at Singapore Contemporary

Art and Architecture – Attractive Allies

by Nicole Büsing and Heiko Klaas

Bidders and Buyers

by Christiane Meixner

Anne Vierstraete

Managing Director at Art Brussels

Nanna Hjortenberg

Director at CHART

The Crucial Role of the New

by Independent Collectors

Makers and Believers

On Art History’s Most Famous Patrons

The Past is Back

And collectors are buying it up

Are Artists the Better Curators?

On the diminishing boundary between professions in the art world

The Digital Museum

On the importance of the museum’s web presence

The Man in the Middle

On the curator’s private and public engagements

A Private Matter?

On the importance of physical space for the value of art

Off the Wall

How museums contribute to the worth of artworks

Where to Go Next?

The fragmentation of Manhattan’s gallery scene

To Buy or Not to Buy

Collectors on their experiences of letting an artwork slip away

How to Pass On a Passion

On long-term challenges for new private museums