Miami-based collectors Javier Martin and Austria Ulloa discuss their 404 Art Collection, which spans works from mid-20th century Ivorian artist Frédéric Bruly Bouabré to contemporary pieces by Ryan Schneider, Augusta Lecaros, and others. The couple, who met through their respective art-world careers, acquire works through studio visits, gallery discoveries, and friend recommendations, and they are donating a Bouabré drawing to the Boca Raton Museum of Art for an upcoming exhibition. Their collection also includes pieces by Sadaharu Horio, Ami Yoshida, Lucas Pereira Elias, Katarina Weslien, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Elsa Mora, and Waichi Tsutaka.
The story matters because it highlights how a new generation of collectors is blending personal passion with institutional engagement, offering consulting, educational programs, and curatorial planning through their collection. Martin and Ulloa’s approach—prioritizing overlooked historical works alongside emerging talents and emphasizing direct artist relationships—reflects broader shifts in collecting practices, where dual perspectives and cross-cultural experiences shape acquisitions. Their donation to the Boca Raton Museum of Art also underscores the growing role of private collectors in supporting public museum programming.