Karen Foley, New York - MEET THE COLLECTOR Series Part Nineteen

I met Karen Foley at the Outsider Art Fair in New York in January 2020 and after our chat it was decided she would be great to feature in this series, so here we are … part nineteen is Karen Foley who has been collecting art since she was aged eight!

Portrait of Karen Foley

1.     When did your interest in the field of outsider/folk art begin?
My interest in collecting started in my late teens. New York had two seasons of antique shows, both general and specialized. Folk art and Outsider Art started to appear in Americana shows, but I initially collected Pre-Columbian and Tribal Art. I also bought pieces from private collectors, like Frances Pratt, who sold from their apartments.

2.     When did you become a collector of this art?  How many pieces do you think are in your collection now?
My first purchase in Folk Art was the Snake and Frog Cane, which I bought in my 30’s. At present I have over 50 pieces in my home, and I am in the process of expanding my collection. Over the years I have bought and sold a Possum Trot figure, many David Butler tin cut-outs, and two Bill Traylor’s that were recently auctioned at Christies.

Apartment photo by @travismarkphoto

3. Can you tell us a bit about your background?
Growing up in Greenwich Village in a very eclectic milieu encouraged my interest in art. Even though I had a scholastic background in fine arts and art history, I followed my mother, a Coty Award winning designer, into the fashion business.

4.     What is it that draws your eye away from contemporary art to outsider/folk art? Or do you collect both?
I was never particularly interested in collecting modern art, even though I personally knew many of the artists of the 1960’s and 70’s. The only contemporary piece I own is a wonderful bird sculpture by Tina White Anton, which sits on my dining table.

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 started my collection with sculpture, as that was a very strong category for many years. The first piece I bought was a cane – a snake swallowing a frog. It was one of the pieces exhibited in the seminal 1976 ‘Folk Sculpture USA’ exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. Recently, I have turned my attention to works on paper, and I have started with a Davood Koochaki drawing.

When you begin collecting you can take either an eclectic or doctrinaire approach. Generally, it is easier to start collecting exclusively in one area, and when your aesthetic has evolved, branch out. I have also collected Japanese prints of Ghosts and Demons, inspired by my sons interest in Anime. This led to collecting spirit photography and post mortems.

Apartment photo by @travismarkphoto

6. Would you say you had a favourite artist or piece of work within your collection? And why?
My favorite pieces always seem to be my most recent acquisitions, but a long time favorite is an Alligator Mask, originally from the Hemphill collection. It was recently pictured on Facebook, and I was amazed at the insightful comments from fellow collectors and dealers about issues of provenance.

7. Is there an exhibition in this field of art that you have felt has been particularly important? And why?
The ‘Folk Sculpture USA’ exhibition was a groundbreaking show at Brooklyn Museum. It covered all genres of folk art, including idiosyncratic pieces and trade signs, etc. It has been followed by many other superb shows, such as the Bill Traylor Show at the Smithsonian.

8. Are there any people within this field that you feel have been particularly important to pave the way for where the field is at now?
There are two people who were extremely important in the formation of the Folk and Outsider fields. Originally a visionary collector and dealer, Herb Hemphill was instrumental in the creation of the American Folk Art Museum.

James Kronen was a prominent New York dealer in the 1970’s. He had a unique, innovative aesthetic. He sold both folk art and outsider art, and was advisor in the creation of many important collections. Though relatively unknown today, he has had a serious impact on the dealers and collector of today.

Apartment photo by @travismarkphoto

9. Where would you say you buy most of your work from: a studio, art fairs, exhibitions, auctions, or direct from artists?
I buy mostly from dealers or art shows. However, with David Butler’s work I sent someone directly to the artist. Apart from the standard flat cut-outs, there was also an unusual three dimensional Nativity piece.

10. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Collecting for me has been a lifelong pursuit. My first purchase, at age eight, was a Hopi Thunderbird necklace from the Surrealist jeweller Sam Kramer. Since then, I have adapted my collection to include areas of material recently available, as well as to have changed focus many times. In this process, I have been fortunate to know many dealers and collectors who have enriched my life with their presence and unique, often highly personal perspectives.

Apartment photo by @travismarkphoto