Tobias van Gils, founder of the Zurich-based investment firm MLT Capital, discusses his art collection in an interview with The Art Newspaper. He shares his early collecting journey, recent acquisitions like a large mountainscape by Harold Ancart, and his regret over missing out on Maurizio Cattelan's blue orchid work "Meat" (2024). Van Gils also mentions launching the MLT Art Foundation with his wife to house their collection and support art programming focused on children. He offers personal insights on his decision-making process, favorite artworks, and tips for navigating Art Basel.
This article matters because it provides a rare, candid look into the mindset of a contemporary art collector, revealing how personal taste, emotional resonance, and family life shape collecting habits. Van Gils's reflections on patronage, the role of art fairs, and his foundation's educational mission highlight broader trends in the art market, where collectors increasingly blend private passion with philanthropic goals. The interview also underscores the enduring appeal of works by major artists like Cattelan and Pipilotti Rist, offering valuable context for understanding collector behavior and market dynamics.