Argentine London-based artist Pablo Bronstein, who has creations in some of most important museums in the world, has announced he will sell off his private art collection.
Seeking new sources of inspiration, Bronstein – whose drawings may be seen in such major art temples as the Tate Modern in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris – is selling old pieces he has been collecting for 20 years, many of which have influenced his work.
Under the title “Pablo Bronstein: Diversions of a Contemporary Mind,” auction house Dreweatts is putting up hundreds of objects for sale – mainly ceramics, paintings and furniture, with some pieces from the 16th century – from the artist’s private collection on Tuesday, January 9.
“It’s a collection that represents a lifestyle. In my work you can see quite a deep aesthetic and interest in decorative objects. When I buy them, I feel I have to incorporate them into my life, my work, and they start showing up in my art. Right now, I’m looking for new artistic territories, a new constellation of artistic imagery,” stated Bronstein to explain his decision to rid himself of hundreds of personal objects.
Bronstein, 47, defines himself as “a contemporary artist” and is known chiefly for his drawings, with architectural references to Classic, Baroque or Rococo styles. Yet his work also covers waterpaint and sets for artistic performances, as well as videos.
The artist, who was born in Buenos Aires and arrived in London at merely four and a half years of age with his parents and brother, boasts a long career of exhibits in Europe and the United States, right now taking part in the latter country in showings in Houston and Rhode Island with some of his works.
“Now I’m working on a book due in June, featuring the drawings or paintings I’ve done on the kitchen and food in general,” he explained.
The artist added that he is also absorbed by the preparation of a showing on historical architecture, with no official date yet, to be held in London, before travelling to the United States.
Among the hundreds of pieces to be auctioned off on Tuesday, there are objects that could be priced between 3,000 and 5,000 British pounds (from US$3,800 to US$6,350).
“There are some strange and unusual objects, such a small china cup with a crucifixion on it, from the 18th century. There are some ceramics with only one similar version in a museum. They’re rarities, antiques,” said the Argentine artist.
Bronstein, who acknowledges that in this auction he is also moved by making room and gaining a new source of income to make a private investment, is divesting himself of nearly his entire collection.
“I’m keeping some objects, very few, for sentimental reasons. I have a collection of sugar bowls, to be sold at another more specialised auction in March, and I’m keeping one of them. That collection, with pieces from 1680 to 1980, is probably one of the most complete in the world,” he pointed out.
“Getting rid of all these objects is a matter of aesthetics and feeling that at times the same references in my work become repetitive and need new ground. I’m searching for new avenues, new horizons,” he insisted.
Bronstein has lived almost his entire life in London, but he does not forget his roots.
“I grew up in an Argentine bubble. We lived in an Argentine nuclear family and my partner is Argentine,” he concluded, and added that he travels “to Buenos Aires roughly every two years” to visit his family.
– TIMES/AFP
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