Amateur Collecting

Part 1: How To Spot a Collector

Collectors and wealthy patrons at Schmuck as easy to spot.  They make exhibition rounds dripping in fur and contemporary jewels, wearing quirky aluminium framed glasses with an edgier than thou haircut. They are also predominately in my parents age range and up.

You may spot one as a lone wolf, hunting for new talent, or in a large, confronting and extremely intimidating pack. They can touch jewellery with gay abandon; take photos without asking and their mere presence whisks away any attendant or artist you were pleasantly conversing with. These men and women take contemporary jewellery extremely seriously.

Here is a photo of Helen Williams Drutt English (whom I briefly spotted at the Returning to the jewel is a return from exile Nr.6 exhibition). She is a famous contemporary jewellery collector, supporter and promoter. 

Photo by Cathryn Tremain from The Age Article: To Brooch the Topic

And here’s a photo of me.

Photo courtesy of Kate Hutchinson

As an amateur collector (on behalf of my mother) how am I to be taken seriously?

Money. If you don’t look like money, make sure they know you have it (even if it isn't technically yours).