However, the article was not about that, rather it transpired with his new found wealth, five years ago Adam discovered and became hooked on New Zealand art.
He talked with great assumed authority on this topic and his plans to set up a public gallery to show-case his collection of established New Zealand artist names.
However, what caused much amusement, which was why I was shown the article, was his claim that his 300 plus collection of NZ art is the largest in the world.
Think again sunshine. My collection is about 6000 strong, including I should add, some wonderful Australian paintings.
My company is easily the biggest buyer of New Zealand art for a very good reason, specifically we fill our office buildings with them. And I don’t just refer to the building foyers which usually contain very large paintings we’ve commissioned following discussions with the appropriate artist.
Rather, particularly in Wellington we provide our 400 plus office tenancies and indeed, some of our retail tenants such as restaurants, with art for all of their walls, and not just their foyers.
We deal with galleries across the land who send us photos of their current exhibitions and rare is the week when we don’t make new purchases.
Adam Ballin constantly talked about his collection in monetary terms, thus falling into the trap of basically buying signatures.
Rare is the name artist who hasn’t painted some terrible failures but bang them into an auction and if they’re a McCahon or whatever, sharebroker types and others will snap them up.
There is more nonsense talked about art than any other topic, except perhaps religion.
Those of you who have read my comic novella “Modern Society” will take my point as it wasn’t simply satire but reflected the hard reality of the art world.
Sir Bob Jones is a renowned author, columnist , property investor, and former politician, who blogs at No Punches Pulled HERE - where this article was sourced.
However, what caused much amusement, which was why I was shown the article, was his claim that his 300 plus collection of NZ art is the largest in the world.
Think again sunshine. My collection is about 6000 strong, including I should add, some wonderful Australian paintings.
My company is easily the biggest buyer of New Zealand art for a very good reason, specifically we fill our office buildings with them. And I don’t just refer to the building foyers which usually contain very large paintings we’ve commissioned following discussions with the appropriate artist.
Rather, particularly in Wellington we provide our 400 plus office tenancies and indeed, some of our retail tenants such as restaurants, with art for all of their walls, and not just their foyers.
We deal with galleries across the land who send us photos of their current exhibitions and rare is the week when we don’t make new purchases.
Adam Ballin constantly talked about his collection in monetary terms, thus falling into the trap of basically buying signatures.
Rare is the name artist who hasn’t painted some terrible failures but bang them into an auction and if they’re a McCahon or whatever, sharebroker types and others will snap them up.
There is more nonsense talked about art than any other topic, except perhaps religion.
Those of you who have read my comic novella “Modern Society” will take my point as it wasn’t simply satire but reflected the hard reality of the art world.
Sir Bob Jones is a renowned author, columnist , property investor, and former politician, who blogs at No Punches Pulled HERE - where this article was sourced.
3 comments:
As if I do not find enough to occupy my time, I now feel compelled to track down the Robt Jones buildings and check out the foyer and passges. Assuming my tie (not rainbow) and not grey shoes and absence of tiki will get me in the door.
Can I add wine to the list of subjects with an incredibly high BS content?
Bob, poor Adam will need therapy now that you have told him his collection is a tiddler.
However, being a bit short on dough, I'm happy for the both of you to bid up a storm over my paintings to add to your collections.
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