Grant Cardone, a multimillionaire who has been collecting art for about 15 years, admits to being a spontaneous buyer when it comes to adding pieces to his collection. Unlike many traditional art connoisseurs, Cardone doesn’t consider himself an expert in the art world. He simply buys what he likes without much research or consideration of the artist behind the piece. This approach may seem reckless to some, but for Cardone, it’s all about the emotional connection he feels with the art he acquires.
Cardone’s home serves as a showcase for his art collection, which includes pieces from renowned artists like American pop artist Burton Morris and contemporary artist Kenny Scharf. He even has an art gallery in his home to house his considerable collection, showcasing his love for art in every corner of his living space. This impulsive buying behavior contrasts with the strategic investment mindset of some other art collectors.
Christian Levett: The Art Museum as Home
Christian Levett, a former investment banker turned art collector, has a completely different approach to collecting art. With almost 30 years of experience in the art world, Levett started with old master paintings and antiquities before shifting his focus to pieces by female abstract expressionists. His home in Florence, Italy, doubles as an art museum, featuring a diverse collection of works by women artists like Mary Cassatt and Dorothea Tanning.
Levett’s passion for sharing his art collection with others is evident in the tours he conducts in his home. Students from prestigious American colleges in Florence and other art enthusiasts get a chance to explore his collection firsthand. The highlight of Levett’s collection is a painting by American artist Joan Mitchell, which he acquired for a fraction of its current value, showcasing his eye for valuable pieces at an early stage in their careers.
Christian and Karen Boros: Art in Unexpected Spaces
In Berlin, husband and wife Christian and Karen Boros have transformed a former World War II bunker into a unique exhibition space for their private art collection. Christian, an advertising entrepreneur, bought his first artwork at the age of 18, setting the stage for their unconventional approach to displaying art. The bunker’s history as a shelter during the war and later as a storage facility for tropical fruit adds to the mystique of the space.
The Boros Collection features a diverse range of works, with a focus on the human body and its relationship to technology. The couple’s commitment to showcasing art in unexpected spaces has garnered attention from art enthusiasts worldwide, with nearly 600,000 people taking guided tours of the bunker since its conversion. The fusion of history, art, and architecture makes the Boros Collection a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors.
Overall, the art collecting practices of Grant Cardone, Christian Levett, and Christian and Karen Boros reveal the diverse approaches individuals can take when building their personal art collections. From spontaneous buying to curated museum-like homes to innovative exhibition spaces, each collector brings a unique perspective to the world of art appreciation. Whether driven by emotion, investment potential, or a desire to challenge traditional norms, these collectors demonstrate that art can be a deeply personal and transformative experience for both the collector and the audience.