UN/LEARNING SPACE: Collecting for beginners - Huma Kabakcı & Hannah Watson

As part of the 6 month workshop series, UN/LEARNING SPACE, Huma Kabakci will be hosting Sunday Sessions. Taking place on a Sunday once a month, the workshops will shine light on a number of Huma’s experiences from working in the art world for over 10 years.

By participating in the affordable Sunday Sessions, you will be supporting the UN/LEARNING SPACE workshops leaders directly so they are recognised for their expertise and contribution.

In this two part Session, Huma Kabakcı and Hannah Watson discuss how to build and maintain a collection during a pandemic: Part 1 with Huma and Part 2 with Hannah.

Part 1

3 - 4.30PM

Huma will explore how in light of the pandemic, unique pieces of artworks have been attainable (regardless of size or money) due to initiatives such as Artist Support Pledge or charity auctions like Covid Capsule and have allowed for artists to be supported directly. How it has been important to support young galleries, initiatives and artists. Huma will give examples to collectors such as the Vogels and from her own experience in running a collection continuing from her father’s legacy. For this session, participants will be required to send questions in advance so Huma can prepare her presentation accordingly.

Huma Kabakcı (b. London, 1990) is an Independent Curator and Founding Director of Open Space, living and working between London and Istanbul. Kabakcı recently joined the Drawing Room as a Development Manager. She studied at the London College of Communication and completed an MA in Curating Contemporary Art at the Royal College of Art. Kabakcı completed a curatorial fellowship at the 2018 Liverpool Biennial, supported by ICF (International Curators Forum). She has worked at commercial galleries, museums and auction houses, both in the UK and Turkey, including Sotheby’s (London), The Albion Gallery (London) and Pera Museum (Istanbul). Kabakcı manages the Huma Kabakcı Collection, a private art collection comprising over 900 works of Turkish, Central Asian and European contemporary art bequeathed to her by her late father Nahit Kabakcı. As part of the 2010 Ruhr & Pecs Capital of Culture projects she has overseen three major exhibitions of the Collection, at Osthaus Museum Hagen, Mönchehaus Museum Goslar and Modern Hungarian Gallery, Pecs. Kabakcı’s curatorial interests lie in subjects such as diaspora, cultural identity, memory and cross-cultural discourse. Open Space has collaborated with institutions such as Block Universe Performance Festival, Delfina Foundation, IKSV (Istanbul Biennial Foundation), SAHA Foundation and SALT.

Part 2

5 - 6.30PM

Hannah Watson (TJ Boulting) will explore how to approach a gallery or enquire for an artwork if one is interested to build a collection. Hannah will give insight into how to build a collection, how work is priced, editions, what to look for and ask for in acquiring an artwork.

This workshop will explore the dynamics and boundaries between the collector, gallerist and artists: what is the right etiquette to approach and start a conversation?

Hannah Watson is the Director of contemporary art gallery TJ Boulting and publisher Trolley Books. TJ Boulting was founded in Fitzrovia in 2011, taking its name from the Grade II* listed building the gallery inhabits. TJ Boulting’s programme supports and represents a dynamic group of emerging and mid-career contemporary artists, including Poulomi Basu, Juno Calypso, Maisie Cousins, Haley Morris-Cafiero, Boo Saville, Stephanie Quayle and Juliana Cerqueira Leite. The gallery has hosted the British Journal of Photography International Award since 2015. Established in 2001, Trolley Books publish a diverse range of titles presenting unique stories in photography, photojournalism and contemporary art.

https://www.tjboulting.com/

@tjboulting