Jean Phillipe Vernes

Jean Phillipe Vernes

bluebee met Jean Phillipe to talk about the thought behind his art collection, how emerging artists can meet art collectors and the role of philanthropists in the art world.

Jean Phillipe has been an art collector for most of his life. At 21, he bought his first artwork which materialised this urge to collect. On special occasions, his house near Paris is now even open to the public to show his extensive collection. For him, art nourishes his being.

Jean Phillipe is very much only interested in conceptual work. He is most intrigued by artists who can bring “Tangibility to Invisibility”. Most of the pieces are sculptures and photographs, and very few paintings. Some of the pieces are beautiful to look at, but all of them have a deeper meaning based on literature, history or philosophy. A majority of them even include words within the artwork. Jean Phillipe’s collection tells a story; you go from one artist to another and each has a lot to say. He doesn’t do visual art himself but sees his collection to be artwork on its own.

When it comes to art, Jean Phillipe is not commercially minded. He doesn’t have an art advisor but likes to buy art which moves him. To the contrary to other art collectors, Jean Phillipe won’t sell his art works, even if he loses interest. Theyrather go to storage. Once, he partnered with an art dealer to makemoney within the art world, but this doesn’t interest him anymore. Hewants to remain pure and not influenced by the dark side of the artworld.

Jean Phillipe sees himself as a philanthropist who helps emerging artists to lift themselves to the next level. This means that he doesn´t only buy one or several pieces but assists by buying them equipment (e.g. a ceramic kilns, canvasses, etc.) or paying for the production of pieces. He has curated small group shows at friend’s galleries for brilliant artists in the past. Not to make money with them, but to strengthen their reputation and their position in the art world. It is a fine line and a challenge not to waste the financial assistance nor the contributions to make sure they are timely, so as to precisely help them to make that little move to the next step. For Jean Phillipe, the personal chemistry is important and he needs to share the enthusiasm for great work.

It is important for him to meet the artists in person to understand the meaning behind the artwork. Most of the time he gets to know artists during the jury sessions of one of the several renowned art prices which he is a member of. Another way is on art shows. He tries to make himself accessible and visits galleries, foundations and other events. If you go out, you meet.

For Jean Phillipe, artists should be represented by a gallery. There are the exceptions of the rule and some good artist-run spaces are emerging. But in general, he thinks it’s a good idea to have representation. A big caveat is, of course, that artists won’t automatically sell and get famous

Another element that Jean Phillipe pays attention to is a degree from an art school. An artist needs to accumulate knowledge and learn the basics. If you are a sculptor, it is important to learn how to use your hands.

once signed up. Some galleries perform in a non-orthodox way, to the extreme that some art collectors give half of the purchase amount directly to the artist rather than through the gallery.

On the other side, a lot of young artists complain that galleries don’t sell their work. There can be many reasons for it and it doesn’t necessarily mean that the gallery doesn’t work hard. Galleries do normally what they are good in, they show the art.

Another element that Jean Phillipe pays attention to is a degree from an art school. An artist needs to accumulate knowledge and learn the basics. If you are a sculptor, it is important to learn how to use your hands. Furthermore, artists should emerge in thinking and have layers of culture in their work. The better the art school, the higher the artist’s reputation in the artworld.

Jean Phillipe tries to never tell an artist that he is great. The piece which he purchases may be great and a good fit with his collection. However, there are many stages in an artist’s career, and the piece is only the point of view at the time the artwork was produced. It’s risky to collect art from emerging artists, as you can’t predict their future work and impact on the world. Great artists can paint the same scene several times and it always comes out differently. Because circumstances have changed.

But others may get repetitive and boring. Maybe they have nothing left to say, which would be the worst for an artist. An artist should show us why he is thinking that way and how he can make us better. Jean Phillipe knows that he is a very ambitious task, but very exciting at the same time.