Christine Mack, a collector born in the Philippines and raised in Sweden, is bringing her collection to the Southampton Arts Center this summer. The exhibition, titled “Beyond the Present: Collecting for the Future,” opens July 26 and features works by 71 artists, including blue-chip names like Rashid Johnson and Cindy Sherman as well as emerging talents such as Ana Benaroya and Woody De Othello. The show also includes pieces by 12 artists who have participated in a residency at the Mack Art Foundation’s Greenpoint space. Mack, who serves on councils for the Studio Museum and the Guggenheim, sees the exhibition as a platform to support artists and highlight her residency program.
The exhibition matters because it exemplifies how private collections can serve as public catalysts, bridging the gap between established and emerging artists. Mack’s focus on community-building—through residencies in Greenpoint and her ambitions to launch a Hamptons residency—underscores a growing trend of collectors acting as active patrons and cultural producers rather than passive acquirers. The show also brings high-profile contemporary art to a seasonal, slower-paced environment, expanding access for audiences outside major urban centers.