Teri & Dan, London
Two London-based collectors who have been quietly building one of the most eclectic and joyful art collections I have ever seen.
They have collected my work for more than five years, and I am always moved to see my pieces surrounded by the colour and character of their maximalist home filled with artists I admire.
THE INTERVIEW
How did you first get into collecting art?
It began in 2008 when I (Teri) moved to East London from Chicago and discovered Banksy. That quickly became a full street-art obsession, and from there I found brilliant galleries such as Nelly Duff, Jealous and Galeria Varsi in Rome. With my maximalist tendencies it did not take long before every wall in my flat was covered.
When I met my now-husband in 2012, I dragged him on so many graffiti scavenger hunts around Hackney that he eventually caught the bug as well. We are both as bad as each other now.
You have collected countless pieces of mine over the last five years. What keeps you coming back?
The colour pulls me in first, but it is the combination of street-art energy and childhood nostalgia that keeps me hooked. The first piece I bought from Jamie was a Big Bird and Keith Haring hybrid and I was immediately obsessed.
My husband fell down the rabbit hole through the Jungle Book series.
Your collection spans everything from street-art to sculpture.
Who else do you love and why?
Street-art wise, the crown goes to Broken Fingaz Crew. Their circus and psychedelia blend is perfect to me, and they probably make up at least a quarter of our entire collection.
We also own work by Run, Pablo Delgado, Mobstr, Donk, Hin, Sweet Toof, Pixel Pancho, Vhils, Nemos, Ben Eine, Stik, Saki and Bitches, Insa and Thierry Noir.
Beyond street art we love Soozy Lipsy, Matteo Giuntini, Dave Buonaguidi, David Shrigley, Egle Zvirblyte and Brutto. We are also big fans of Studio Arhoj sculptures and ceramics by Philip Kupferschmidt.
Lucy Sparrow deserves a special mention. Her felt recreations of everyday objects are some of the most joyful things you can collect. My most expensive art purchase to date is a full-scale pair of bathroom cabinets that hold more than one hundred felt toiletries. She has also created a felt pharmacy, Jewish deli, Diptyque shop, ice-cream truck, fish and chip shop, candy store and even a McDonalds.
A bonus mention goes to Jamie’s wife Laura, who has made several beaded treasures for me over the years. My beaded Hidden Valley Ranch dressing is a prized possession.
How do you decide between an original and a print?
I do not overthink it. I buy based on instinct and price and rarely consider the distinction.
Any tips for someone starting to collect art?
Be open-minded when it comes to format. Non-traditional mediums are a brilliant way to fill a space without spending too much. I love tea towels, calendars, completed puzzles, tapestries, framed postcards and wrapping paper. I even have a limited-edition KFC themed Build-A-Bear that I consider art.
Your walls will always look stronger when you mix mediums.
If you are very detail-driven and want a perfect gallery wall, you can measure the real wall, build a scaled digital version in InDesign, drop in each artwork and arrange it until you are happy. Then make your husband do the hanging..
A NOTE FROM JAMIE
I am incredibly grateful to collectors like Teri and Dan. They do not collect for status or investment. They collect because the work makes them feel something.
If you would like to join that circle, or if you have been considering starting a collection, I am always happy to chat.