Private collector bares all in exhibition, sale

By Agnes Yu

Take a peek and maybe even buy, as a husband and wife team of private collectors is offering a unique chance to not only appreciate, but also acquire works from their own stores.

Kariem Hamed and his wife Yoshiko Matsumoto are featuring select pieces from their private collection in a week-long special exhibition at Gallery Through in Itaewon, Seoul.

The exhibit is an overview of the famous Western artwork and furniture the couple has amassed since 1999, providing Korean collectors, the general public and the expat community a taste of modern aestheticism — with an added opportunity to start their own treasure trove.

Some of the works on display are affordable opportunities for the small-time buyer, while other pieces are from such art world giants as Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami, Damien Hirst, Helmut Newton and Picasso.

One noteworthy inclusion is the set of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec prints more than half a century old, still in pristine condition and vividly depicting the entertaining Paris of the artist’s time.

Works by Terry Rodgers, who paints high society parties with a sexual slant, will either lure in or offend viewers. Within the party scenes however, a closer look at the blank expressions on the faces of the guests hint at the darker truth that hedonism does indeed have its downsides.

Other striking pieces are a hand painted guitar by Rolling Stone’s Ronnie Wood, as well as some prints made by the guitarist himself. The collection also includes black-and-white photos of the band members. A silkscreen of Jimi Hendrix adorns the wall along the staircase of the gallery and one of Mick Jagger as well.

The malleable line between art and design is crossed with Eames’ lounge chairs, seats by Le Corbusier and the famous cardboard Wiggle Side Chair by Frank O. Gehry.

All of the items displayed in the exhibit are available for purchase.

“We hope to be able to encourage young Korean art collectors that an art collection can start with small items, and through the joy of collecting, it can grow to big proportions,” the collector said.

“We hope to be able to do the same in the Netherlands, showing the Korean art we have collected over the past three years since moving to Seoul.”

The exhibit runs through Feb. 17.

Gallery Through is located in Itaewon. Call 02-798-1900 or visit www.through.co.kr for more information.