Cultured magazine asked 12 European collectors how they discover new talent, timed to the 61st Venice Biennale. Collectors like Nicole Saikalis Bay, Amélie du Chalard, Belma Gaudio, and Laurent Asscher share their personal approaches—ranging from emotional resonance and dialogue with existing works to long-term obsession with an artist before acquiring a piece. The responses reveal a diversity of methods, from instinct-driven buying to conceptual and technical evaluation.
This article matters because it offers rare, direct insight into the decision-making processes of influential private collectors during a major art world event. At a moment when the art market is saturated with images and information, understanding how seasoned collectors filter noise to identify compelling new work is valuable for artists, gallerists, and market observers. It also underscores the Venice Biennale's role as a key site for taste-making and discovery.