Audrey Heckler, New York - MEET THE COLLECTOR Series Part Nine
Audrey Heckler is in the midst of the biggest exhibition of her collection to date at the American Folk Art Museum in New York, so she seemed an ideal choice for interviewing for part nine of my ‘Meet the Collector’ series. A shy lady, it was interesting to hear more about her life and her collection, including the fact that she doesn’t think art should be bought and stored away, but that it should be on display to be enjoyed!
Audrey at her exhibition launch. Image courtesy American Folk Art Museum
1. When did your interest in the field of outsider/folk art begin?
I noticed a poster for the outsider show at a coffee shop, which I had never seen before, so I decided to go. This was in 1993.
2. When did you become a collector of this art?
From that time on, I became a collector of outsider/art brut. At that fair I went along on the Saturday and bought a piece by an artist, returning on the Sunday to buy a piece by the same artist again. I cannot remember who that was though.
3. Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I took some art classes in school, but I have no background in art. I cannot even draw or paint, but I just like art. I went into real estate after college and I’m a good golfer, but I am retired now.
4. What is it that draws your eye away from contemporary art to outsider/folk art? Or do you collect both?
I do not collect contemporary art. I find it very specious, overblown in price and I just don’t like it as much. Folk/outsider art is much simpler and easier to look at.
Exhibition launch. Image courtesy American Folk Art Museum
5. What style of work, if any, is of particular interest to you within this field? (for example is it embroidery, drawing, sculpture, and so on)
I like drawing the best and some sculptures.
6. Would you say you had a favourite artist or piece of work within your collection? And why?
There are so many wonderful pieces in my collection that it is hard to pick one, but if I had to I would choose Martin Ramirez. He is so variable and one piece includes everything he uses in his work. I really like his work and often couldn’t tell you why.
7. Is there an exhibition in this field of art that you have felt has been particularly important? And why?
It’s not so relevant to this field, but the exhibition that showcased the Cochran Collection in America was great, and important for black artists.
8. Where would you say you buy most of your work from: a studio, art fairs, exhibitions, or direct from artists?
Most of my collection I have bought from galleries.
9. As you have a large collection now, what sort of pieces are you looking to continue to add to your collection?
I am not buying anything now. I have no more room and no more money.
10. Is there any of your collection hung in your home, or is it hung elsewhere, or do you only exhibit several pieces at once in your home?
All of my collection is hung in my houses. It does not make sense to me to buy art and store it away. I like to be able to see it all – there may be a few in a closet but they get changed around. I do have it hung floor to ceiling.
Exhibition installation. Image courtesy American Folk Art Museum
11. You have just had a big show of your collection open at the American Folk Art Museum – is this the biggest show of your work to-date? How did this come about?
Yes, this is the biggest show of my collection to date. The Museum asked me to do it. The opening went very well recently, and I had lots of congratulations, which was very rewarding. There are around 160 pieces on display.
12. Great, I can’t wait to see it when I visit new York in January for the Outsider Art Fair. I also read that you had a show at the Sara Kay Gallery in New York in 2017 – was that the first showing of some of your collection, or have you exhibited it before then?
Sara Kay Gallery was the first showing of some of my collection. I have also lent some of my collection to Museums and Galleries over the years. I am very happy for others to see the pieces too.
