Art Diary

New home!

2010-10-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

My blog is now on our amazing new website at http://www.zabludowiczcollection.com/collection/art-diary

Come and have a look!

September

2010-09-24T06:27:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from art during the summer was a pleasure, we had a few lovely interludes during the summer when Richard Woods and his family came to spend some time with us in Finland; it was very special. He loved his new house which will be turned into the most magnificent sculpture for next year!

I managed to drop into PS1 in Queens on a quick impromptu trip to New York.I was impressed with many of the artists such as, David Benjamin Sherry, Kalup Linzy, Tauba Auerbach, Erin Shirreff, Dave Miko in particular. An artist we found incredibly entertaining was Rashaad Newsome. The outdoors had been converted into a wonderland and there was an incredibly cool party atmosphere, it was a hot day and cool fine water droplets were being ejected in the air to cool us, if you were tired there was a hammock to rest in, or a beach to walk on with your bare feet. The whole area was tented with poles and netting and the music was happily pounding in my ears, performed by the guest DJs.

Back to London and I had the pleasure of sitting next to Kris Martin and his fabulous wife Isa. His show was as expected totally out of the box! Some of it I did not quite grasp. His beautiful father and mother explained to me about his crucifixtion work “Festum” which was very personal to him.

I paid a visit to the MA at Chelsea College of Art. I very much enjoyed the work of Ralph Dunn, Jay Hyung kim, Lulu Li, Margo Trushina but the work that fell into our collection was the installation of Kayde Anobile whom we bought for the collection. The installation was technically very good, her ideas were refreshing and fitted very well into the collection.

Then it was back at 176 and there to greet me was Margot Heller from South London Gallery. Next thing, I was whisked off to wardrobe and wore shoes that were so high I could not walk on them and I had to be airlifted onto a ladder.

Johnny Kidd was our photographer and the maestro went to work and we both felt very glamorous and I wished we were as gorgeous as those lovely other models. I hope they airbrush me a bit!

I dropped in to see Stuart Shave's show and I loved the Alice Channers and I saw a spectacular new work by Eva Rothschild.

Then to Benjamin Rhodes new gallery where he had a lovely work by Dan Shaw Town who was in our show Library of Babel.

Toby Ziegler's installation with the help of his team is coming along at 176 all very exciting!

Then it was cool Liverpool. We were all very entertained.

There was an abundance of talent from beginning to end. We started at the A Foundation and met the finnish artist Antti Laitinen and saw his boat that crosses the Mersey, we have invited him to visit us in Finland.

The work of Sachiko Abe at A Foundation was mesmerizing she just cut page after page.

The New Contemporaries was full of good quality work this year, really a pleasure to walk around and spend a little time with.

A film by Ed Atkins at New Contemporaries.

The film of Alfredo Jaar was very sad but brilliant and in the next room the site specific work of Cristina Lucas was incredible.

Then to the Tate Liverpool where Franz West and a very strange fire hose with a real hand poking out of it, the grande Finale for us and made us Lizzie, Maitrey, Ellen and
myself scream!!!!

And a very strange firehose...

Then off to see a few shows in the East End, the Aaron Curry at Werners, the Mark Titchner show at Vilma Gold and the David Blandy at 17. They were all must-see shows and of a very high standard!

Mark Titchner's new work.

Back to work

2010-09-03T05:08:00.000-07:00

After a long and amazing holiday I arrive back to 176 and find myself surrounded by an array of bedecked celebrities, Sadie Frost and her decorative poodle, shooting "Animal Charm", about fashion and fur directed by Ben Charles Edwards!

One of the actors in tow.

Congatulations to producer Gitti (her bump) and Gary Webb, they have just tied the knot!

Stop-off in London

2010-07-30T02:37:00.000-07:00

Back for just 22hrs from Finland and managed to squeeze in Dazed and Confused's Converse/Dazed 2010 Emerging Artists Award, hosted by Stephen Friedman. There was an abundance of talent gathered around the pavement enjoying the warmth.

Ex Tate art handler Peter Ainsworth won the prize. I was particularly proud of Laura Buckley her piece was spectacular.

July!

2010-07-09T06:20:00.001-07:00

Last Blog for the summer... I have had enough now, ready for a break, no more hanging out going to parties visiting studios etc.. I am going to read, run, swim, walk, sauna, vodka and try not to eat to much in Finland.

I went to the Tate summer party, sadly as I arrived I gave a wave goodbye to the very happy organised treacle footed protestesters, they had managed to make many good-willed people who look forward to this event every year (and for some this party is THEIR highlight of the year) a little unhappy as we had a LOCK IN in the Tate Britain on one of the most beautiful evenings and it was very hot.

To finish the most spectacular summer evenings ever I headed on to the Serpentine. The whole world was out in force in the sumptuous Jean Nouvel Pavilion as background the music was blaring and spectacular.

Poju and Rob Hersov

Amir with Rita Tainola-Tapiovaara

Photograph of Christopher Farr and Martine d'Anglejean-Chatillon under an aeroplane in the Divine Duveen Gallery.

Gregor Muir, Louis from Serpentine and Robin Saunders

Jack Kirkland and friends.

Laura Lehman and friend from Continua.

Tracey and Conrad Shawcross

Mr and Mrs Blake snuggled up on a Ron Arad sofa

The show Systematic at 176 curated by Ellen Mara De Wachter turned out to be wonderful. People were coming to me and telling me that the Charles Sandison was the best art work they had ever seen. I was so thrilled to see these eight artists coming to the surface in such a fantastic way. What thrilled me was to see Damien Hirst's two early works “I love You” and “Sometimes I Avoid People”, which were at the time when they were made just like the other seven artists on show, works made by his own hand. And also in this period Damien was an emerging artist which is one of the most important elements of the Zabludowicz Collection.

Our GA Tim standing in front of Damien's work.

The opening was a lovely summer atmosphere about 500 of us. Sausages, Wine and Beer and dancing in the back.

Picture of the boys, Haroon Mizra, Tom Morton, Sean Dack and Giles Round in our garden.

Dave Maclean, our DJ for the night standing next to the Anthony Gormley Sculpture

I had such a wonderful 24hrs in Tracey Emin World in the South of France.

Rob Diament and Russell Tovey posing

Tracey and Russell next to to the pool.

I immediately dozed off and then stumbled upon Tracey and Jay sharing a bottle of wine in the sunset. I think this is one of the most perfect moments I have ever captured?

The party was the most chilled out party I have ever been to in my life. It was on an even keel throughout no highs or lows. Everybody was incredibly mellow and at 4am it was very hard to drag myself to bed.

I lay on the beach and chatted with Lorcan O'Neil and Russell.

Tracey receiving her birthday cake with Jerry Hall at her side.

Scott Douglas and some of the gang.

The next morning Tracey made us all the most perfect breakfast of scrambled eggs and freshly sliced local produce, the most perfect way to finish my visit.

Dave Eustace

Meanwhile back at the ranch at 176 Toby Ziegler came with his team and tested his balloon which for Lizzie, Ellen and I was the beginning of Toby's very daring project to be shown in October.

There was an air of great excitement...

In the evening we headed to Philips de Pury where we were warmly greeted by Michaela, Simon and Mario Testino. The evening was to celebrate Mario photographing Kate Moss by producing the most amazing powerful photographs.

Julia Peyton Jones with a friend admiring Kate

Two hip looking guys admiring Kate

Then we went to a small intimate dinner at Mark's club where I took a photo of Jake Chapman and Daffyd Jones, the photographer.

I was sat on a table with Mario Testino, Donatella Versace and Juergen Teller. Michaela and Simon. Juergen was told off by Phillip Green for smoking at the table. I was for a moment very afraid he might react and Jurgen was incredibly cool about it I thought.

Mario, Donatella and Kate were all deep in conversation. I had never really met her before and she gave me a very firm handshake, and from this I could see she is a gutsy girl, definitely not a pushover.

The next day I headed with Diego Marroquin to the Hayward which was full of splendid suprise. We were enveloped in the installation of the New Decor show and upstairs with Ernesto Neto's show, which was an enriched experience.

And if it all got too much there was a swimming pool and changing cubicles on one terrace and the other terrace there was a sculpture to meditate next to.

Cliff Lauson, curator of the Hayward took us around. Geoffrey Isaac and Catherine Petigas were relaxing in the green of it....

Diego and I hung around in the red tent and art consultant Ann Berthoud played with the drum.

The show itself, The New Decor was a delight. All things for the senses. Was a little disappointed that the settings were not more installations rather than mainly individual pieces but it was still a fun show.

Then with Diego, Catherine and Jen Beller we headed of to the Saatchi and we spent more time studying the British Art. Some of the works were spectacular however the juxtaposition of certain artists in the same hall I found a little unusual. The works of Hurvin Anderson, Ged Quinn and Daniel Silver I thought were spectacular and looked much better without the beds. On our way out I had time to give Charles a big hug and cannot wait for a play date after summer!

ICA came to visit us with Rosie Allerhand who sadly leaves soon we will miss her.

Ron Arad left his mark, now 176 has a permanent art work that will never be removed I hope!

Basel and MORE!

2010-06-29T03:37:00.001-07:00

I have just experienced five days of pure art and what total bliss our first stop was.

At Liste we saw some great artists such as Ida Ekblad the hot new artist at Karma International ( I bought a ladder with T Shirt on it), Laura Riboli installation at Wallspace,

Marieta Chirulescu at Micky Schubert: small scanned photos

Richard Previdi large scan photos

Sara Barker sculpture from Mary Mary in Glasgow.

A fantastic sculpture by our home grown Paul MacDevitt shown with Patricia at Sommer and Kohl Gallery.

We liked very much the Gabriel Hartley Paintings and sculptures showing with Foxy.

The work of Jessica Dickenson at James Fuentes was also a new discovery for me.

The works of Diane Malzon

Picture of my legs under an Oscar Tuazon mirrored wall sculpture.

The Big Fair was full of suprises.

Nosy neighbour

The one that got away the American Flag by Banks Violette WOW!

A little child playing on the sand dunes in Agnes Varda's installation.

We acquired work from a young artist in Art Statements. It's by artist Sreshta Premnath and called Zero Knot.

We loved the amazing installation by Michael Beutler in Art Statements. He personaly spent time with us and explained everything about his crazy machines that makes out of paper a sculpture that looks like industrial pipe lines gone crazy.

Simon fujiwara performing in his installation and photo of the porn shelf with big sausages - look in the mirror and see if you can spot the Wilkinson Brothers with FT / TAN's Georgina Adam and Vincent Honore from David Roberts Collection.

Roy bought his second purchase for the collection his first being Jack Strange and now Jay Heikes from Marianne Boesky.

Another great work by David Shrigley at Anton Kern gallery.

Lizzie and I loved the gallery cupboards this year. There were all sorts of little suprises in this one being Karma International with works by Ida Ekbland

Then in this cupboard we found an awesome Gabriel Orozco.

I went for the biggest and brightest work in the art fair. We have been collecting Sterling Ruby's work for a few years thanks to the advice of my art guru Marc Foxx and this work for me was as striking and mysterious as a Rothko.

There was a fabulous installation by Gerda Steinar and Jorg Lenzlinger called the Conference.

Haroon Mirza (who is in our next show called Systematic opening 1st July at 176) also had a wonderful installation in Unlimited.

The lovely Continua Gallery was showing the most wonderful Berlinde de Brukyere.

At Urs Miele we spotted the most perfect Ai Wei Wei

We bought the most fabulous Fabian Marti that will get him off his couch

Andrea Rosen as well as having one of the most innovative booths was wearing the most amazing boots!
She gave the most amazing party at the Beyeler on the Wednesday night. I was so tired I was told I was dancing on the tables but I do not even remember.

What I do remember was walking through the Beyeler and seeing the most amazing Basquiat's and Felix Gonzalez Torres amongst Giacometti's and Picasso's.

It was an awesome sight.

Alexandre De Cunha work was particularly strong I thought and I ended up buying two works as I could not resist.

Gareth Moore who is also in our collection was busy running around with a rock on his back. I tried to catch him but he was running too fast.

We went to Volta art fair and bumped into our old friends Edu Leme from San Paulo and David Risley now living in Copenhagen. He had the most amazing work by Graham Dolphin which is Freddy Mercury's back door. He had copied every detail of Graffitti on the door. He had carved it to perfection and we had to have this work for our collection.

In Berlin we dropped by to the Flick collection at the Hamburger Bahnhof with Roy, Tif and Lizzie.

We were totally in awe and I was very jealous which is unusual for me but a very good sign that I am viewing the greatest collection. I saw many works for the first time that I had only seen in books. Amazing Bruce Naumans, the work Art Make Up which I had only seen at the ICA and then through our own work by Ian Forsyth and Jane Pollard: “Kiss My Nauman”.

Lizzie and Tiffany looked particulary attractive in the green light I thought.

The most incredible Paul McCarthy

Coincidently we had dinner with Mr and Mrs McCarthy and their daughter Mary on the Tuesday night at a dinner hosted by Gregor Muir for Hauser and Wirth.

On their stand they had left a bag of rubbish lying around by the artist Christoph Buchel. Last year it was a sock and the year before that a piece of crinkled paper by Martin Creed what next? The bag of rubbish was only 20,000 euros much cheaper than the sock and the paper - a bargain!

The reports were that the Berlin Biennale was rubbish. I just want to report back that I am not sure what they were talking about. If you didn't have the time to watch the films, and were surrounded by friends to talk to then I understand you might miss the subtle but intense works - but we all had the luxury of spending three hours in one building alone and had the most amazing experience.

Hans Schabus's dinosaurs of Europe...

Tears were coming down my eyes twice (this could have been the relief I was not at an art fair) to the works of Avi Mograbi and Fehrat Ozgur.

It was the most amazing show I had seen since the Hayward in the late 90s when I saw the art works of Terry Gilliam, Peter Greenaway, Damien Hirst and Steve McQueen ( I still shiver when I think of the man crawling naked around the floor or was it a dog?)

In the KW building we saw the work of Petrit Halilaj with chickens rockets, white spaces and strange timber structures.

Walking around Berlin in the sun (what a relief after basel and the rain) we bumped into a wonderful British furniture maker called Peter Harvey. His work was very contemporary. He also liked to show other designers apart from himself.

I arrived back home to London and went to a lovely University of Arts lunch hosted by Richard Greer with Leigh Message, Lucy Morris, Robert Devereux, Andrew Williams, Angelica Sule and Medeia Cohen-Petrolino

Then I went to the most amzing evening at Phillips de Pury there were Simon and Michaela were displayed behind one way mirror - they could not see us but we could see them it was very very strange. There were huge platforms of sausages and oysters. I arrived and Roger Bevan, Amir and Don Rubell were there to greet me over the oysters.

Then we all had dinner in bed which was incredibly strange. Demure ladies were hanging around

The singer had the most amazing energy I had ever seen.

Then it was an art installation of cakes galore: each little table had an amazing cake on it. Hundreds and hundreds of tables it seemed it was a sweet fest.

Simon Lee deciding which cake he should go for.

Cambridge Art History student Michael Walker posing beside Daniel Silver sculpture.

Then dancing and of course Simon doing the DJ with one of his friends showing him how to do it.....

The next day I gave a casual out-of-towners lunch for Michaela and Simon at home. They cut their cupid cake in bunny and tiara style.

We had some lovely guests such as Maya Hoffman and Mera Rubell , still in awe from the success of the night before as her daughter Jennifer Rubell had thought up and created the whole concept.

Also were Beth De Woody and Charles Sandison who is busy installing at 176 his amazing installation.

Lizzie had time to be with Albert Oehlen and his lovely wife Esther

Then it was off to the Serpentine to a very private dinner given by the Lebedevs for Wolfgang Tillmans. The show was very thoughtfully laid out. Wolfgang had even changed the shape of one of the galleries to suit his installation.

Rude Britannia and more...

2010-06-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

Mon 7th I went to check out the show Rude Britannia, which i thought was very charming.

I love and adore BRIT humour and feel it is a way of explaining to us who we are. There were some interesting works.

I loved the work by David Shrigley - Dead Cat.

Also this work by Kennard Phillips.

And Finally this lovely sad little light sculptured by Barry Reigate.

In the evening Nick Hackworth of Paradise Row gave a wonderful drinks party for Barry Reigate at the Ivy Club. Caragh Thuring, Alastair Mackinven, Matt Collishaw were also their to show support.

Barry giving Alistair a hug.

Tues 8th We had delightful lunch at Sothebys the guest of honour being Dimitris Daskalopoulos. Then with Vikki Hughes and Muriel I went back to Louis Vuitton to show them the new store and Michael Landy's incredible installation. We dropped by to Spruth Magers and saw the Karen Kilimnik and Joseph Cornell show which was curated by a very proud Todd Levin. I thought the show was very pretty but I did not have enough time to understand.

Weds 9th I went to lunch to Rochelle School where Camden Arts was hosting a lunch for Jim Hodges. I found meeting JimHodges again was most nostalgic as I had not seen him since 1992 when he was working in Mrs Dan Hauser's basement in New York. I was not very insightful those days as I did not see the point of working with plastic flowers on serviettes.

Great Picture of Jenni and Jim

After our wonderful lunch I headed of to the Slade art show there was surprisingly much to see.

I bumped into Varda Caivano, an amazing artist. We have her paintings in our collection, Karin Ruggaber who gave a wonderful talk at 176 on Elliot Hundley and Ulla Von Brandenburg in our Past Forward show and Camilla Wilson standing in front of a wall work by Ramon Fernandez.

I like particularly this work where the artist is in a recording studio and howling like the dog in real time.

I also liked the conceptually delicate work of Orly Aviv

After the Slade it was off to the Barbican and before my eyes were very weird pods on the walls and ceiling looking spider-like with people in them. Lizzie and I stayed for John Bock's whacky performance amongst the audience were Maureen Paley, Anne Hardy, Tim Noble and Sue Webster, Neil Hamon and spotted were Sean Regen from LA, Christos Gerozissis from Anton Kern and Rob Diament with the breaking news that he is going to be joining Carl Freedman Gallery.

Great photo of the pods.

Christos and Rob posing in front of the pod.

I managed to spend a few minutes upstairs before dinner and we went to a wonderful show called ‘The Surreal House’. Amongst the great Masters the likes of Magritte and Dali was such artists as Rachel Whiteread, Rachel Kneebone, Tim Noble and Sue Webster. I thought the show was incredible and for me the most exciting work was the film by Jean-Luc Goddard with Brigitte Bardot called Le Mépris, I had not seen his work since i was a teenager.
Then it was dinner time but first the Whitechapel. My congratulations go to Achim Borchardt Hume, Iwona Blazwick, Francois Chantala, Martine d'Anglejan Chatillon, Dimitris Paleocrassas and Thomas Dane and most of all Dimitris Daskalopoulos. The show called 'Keeping it Real' part one for me takes me back to the Dan Hauser show I saw in 1992 in NY and as well as Jim Hodges being in the basement their before me was Bruce Nauman, Robert Gober and Mathew Barney. I never realised but for me this show was really defining for me art in the 1990s and Keeping it Real had also elements of the early 1990s.

A very happy Dimitris with Richard

The dinner was held at the Astors' family old home overlooking the Thames with guests such as Dakis Joannou, Jack Kirkland, gallerists such as Iwan Wirth, Barbara Gladstone and leaders of the art world such as Nick Serota and Richard Flood were present.

On my way out I passed a bijou smoking tent where Lizzie, Simon Preston, Victoria Siddall, Francois and Martine were looking very glamorous.

Thurs 10th June Jim Hodges opening at Camden Arts. The exhibition was absolutely gorgeous I must have been so blind not to have thought to collect his work. Stephen Friedman, Maureen Paley and Jenni Lomax were walking around like proud uncles and aunts.

Jenni and the gang

Fri 11th I bumped into Nick Baker from FA Projects. Sadly he and Zoe have had to close their wonderful gallery but the good news is that he will take a position with Simon Lee.

I also stopped by Pilar Corrias's show which was quite spectacular. We purchased work by a young artist called Mary Ramsden the show was called 'Purity of a Myth'.

Then to Camden to Nancy Fout's show where I reserved a few pieces. Now I am off to Basel. Watch this space.

Back to normal

2010-05-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

The world stops revolving and I start to put my feet on the floor after romping around Finland playing with bows and arrows.

We left the boys to enjoy the rest of their residency.

We can all very proudly say we have created our first art barn in Finland, comprising of Asian art from South Korea, Japan and China.

Dave McDermott enjoying the Finnish Cuisine.

Lizzie checking out the Artists' workshop.

Charles Sandison whose work will be in our new show System

atic setting up the arrows.

Nick van Woert trying out his skills with his bow and arrow.

Matthew Day Jackson and I happily enjoying the sunshine and nature.

Back in London Anna-Catharina proudly displaying our new 176 book called The Library of Babel / In and Out of Place, at our book launch which was a success. This book is an amazing insight into the collection.

Visiting Rashid Johnson at his show at Carlson Gallery. Great show - Great artist.

Rashid giving Matthew a peck on his cheek.

Then off to visit Ged Quinn at Anthony Wilkinson. They were both very very happy and Ged's paintings were gems....

On the way to Shoreditch house to eat and meet we dropped by to Michael Landy's and checked out his commission for Louis Vuitton, Tinguely eat your heart out!!!

Then of to a party of incredible proportions: we were treated to a theatre art extravaganza at the opening of Louis

Vuitton's amazing new store. We were sped of to the old Post Office building and were welcomed by a few bellboys showing us five doors to choose from. We chose the one on the right, and through we went - Thomas Dane, Michael Landy, Gillian Wearing and Poju and me - then there were so many weird and wonderful things going on with a deffinite tinge of Goth and Alice in Wonderland.

We were gasping with awe (Punch Drunk at their best). There was no expense spared and the settings were incredible.

Gorgeous little men on shelves you wanted only to take home with you, a pregnant woman giving birth to insects, people making love on a train etc... and more.

Then a brown light bulb-lit room with beautiful flowers and table settings all in LV Brown colours and Donna Summers who was really quite spectacular. I was with the gang and everybody was on form. Many people had made such an effort to look demure, Rebecca King Lassman, Tracey of course and Annie Morris and many beautiful people in the fashion world.

Jane Suitor and Annie Morris

Steve Lazarides and Keith Tyson

Ged Quinn and Anthony Wilkinson

Curiosity creature on shelf (very attractive)

Donna Summers

I dropped by to Peter Kilchman gallery in Zurich where Fabian Marti and Raffi Kalenderian were previewing their show. Both artists were flourishing and both artists are in our collection. Fabian posed for me on his consulting couch!

Where do I begin...

2010-05-21T04:41:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin...

I met up with Jessica Morgan from Tate and Muriel Salem from Cranford collection. Sam at Haunch of Venison takes us around the Glasnost show which is very educational all about Russian art in the 80s.

We check out the new works of Rina Banerjee: her drawings were also spectacular.

I dropped into Stephen Friedman to see Tom Friedman’s new work most elegant.

I visited the studio of Richard Woods who we are commissioning to clad a little house in Finland for us.

It was an insight to see his ideas and his assistants at work he has some wonderful projects coming up in Antwerp and Aspen Colorado.

This evening the weather was glorious and yes.... there was a rainbow and it was definitely pointing its way to Chalk Farm to 176 but instead I headed in the direction of Westminster. I passed the new home of David Cameron and Nick Clegg feeling a sense of satisfaction that all was settled now and all parties' feathers had been well ruffled and none of them have any chance of becoming complacent in the next few years.

Poju and I visit Tate Modern for the tenth anniversary.

It was a very elegant evening and I had been nicely seated between Patrick Brill, who is Bob and Roberta Smith and Vicente Todoli.

I felt very proud of the Tate Team even if all of them were not there. I told Nick Serota ‘Onwards and Upwards' which I think must be his motto.

Poju had decided we should stay in Claridges that night and as we arrived Scott Douglas spotted us and there we were amongst all my lovely friends, Heather Kerzner, Tracey Emin, Tim Noble and Sue Webster, Matt Collishaw, Polly Morgan, Keith Tyson, Maia wife of Damien Hirst, Jerry Hall and my friends Ron and Jen Beller.

Mary Quant and Scott.

Sue not wanting her photo taken.

Tim at my feet.

Tracey was quite sad because she had just been on a visit to Auschwitz. I told her she was incredibly brave to do such a thing as I could never visit such a place seeing as my in laws had both been there and survived miraculously.

David Bailey taking photos on his Iphone. Things have moved on in 40 years!

Keith Tyson was looking super fit as he is training for his triathlon.

Tracey had somehow managed to bump into Sue's fist on the way home in the Taxi and received a bit of a shiner.

The next evening we dropped by to Fatima Maleki's amazing dinner for Young Tate Patrons. Everyone so enjoyed themselves and I managed to eat some of Fatima's amazing Iranian cuisine.

Then we headed off to Amanda Eliasch's birthday party where she was an emerging butterfly.

She looked totally magnificent and so did all her beautiful girlfriends.

Heather was there again and her true beauty was shining through.

Amanda looked like a Queen or should I say Goddess.

Tim Noble had found a new Studio assistant.

Lizzie has headed to Finland to our summer home where she is meeting Mathew Day Jackson and Nick van Woert and Dave McDermott. I will join them too.

With Cindy I dropped into the Catlin Prize where we met Medeia Cohen.

We both bought a painting by Adam Dix who was also part of Future Map where we gave the prize.

Miyo Yoshido stood in front of her sculpture of the uterus being sold in the black market for thousands of dollars and she showed her preggy stomach at the same time.

I bought my second work by Sonny Sanjay Vadgama.

We stopped by to Alex Delall's space where Flora Fairbairn has a show called Concrete and Glass, where I met a very young artist, Charlotte Warner Thomas, who had archived an old man in a council block whole life and it was beautifully done.

I had lunch with Tracey Emin, Marsha Lee my friend Cindy and Ed Vaizey.

We had much to discuss and I mentioned how strange it would be if he heard he was given his Govt position over lunch and straight after that we were all celebrating!

Hot off the press!!

2010-05-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

Ed Vaizey the moment he heard he was Minister of Culture. I was fortunate to be dining with Tracey Emin, Marsha Lee and my friend Cindy and Ed. Hurray!

May

2010-05-10T09:19:00.001-07:00

I had a fabulous trip to Israel - it was fascinating. I was very lazy too and managed to get some rest. I arrived at Fresh Paint and found it incredibly difficult to navigate even though the charming Igal Ahouvi was my host.

However Yifat Gurion spent a quite morning with me and showed me everything. I saw some wonderful art works: many new and up-and-coming and some great talent.

Yifat in front of work of photography by Dror Daum.

Irit Sommers' Kinetic show seemed the most exciting to me.

A beautiful sculpture at Alon Segov Gallery by Sigalit Landau.

The winner of the Igal Ahouvi prize.

On the way to Jerusalem we headed to Bat Yam museum, Wendy Fisher's head stuck in a Will Hunt Sculpture.

On the way to the Israel Museum, I visited a small Museum called the Museum on the Seam, where Ivan Navarro's door was installed.

A work by Philip Rantzer in the show.

The show was called HomeLessHome and the curator, Raphie Etgar, created a wonderful show. Incredibly well-thought show and everything placed to perfection. BRAVO.

Hema Uphadyay, Where the bees suck, there suck I

A large sculpture by Ohad Meromi at the entrance to the Israel Museum.

Then Jerusalem, where we visited the unfinished Museum but incredibly James Snyder pulls it off and manages to invite 500 amazing benefactors from all over the world. The museum, when completed, will be spectacular.

The Girls: Nicole Klagsburg, Hazel Collins, Georgina Cohen, Pamela Crystal, Ayelet Elstein.

Anish's sculpture was magnificent. We all hung out together in the evening in the wonderful old bar, the most special in the world.

Anish and Georgina Cohen

Loushy

MAY DAY!

2010-05-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

MAY DAY!

We visit Ryan Gander’s show at Lisson and then the hard-working Toby Ziegler in his studio which we discovered was not far from 176.

We watched Toby and his technicians at work. Something exciting is happening!

Then I head to Rachel Harrison Dinner at the Whitechapel - the place has never looked so vibrant. All the spaces were intimate and full of people in no hurry to leave. Rachel’s show was warm and filled the room beautifully. She however was not willing to let me take her photo and accused me of being a BLOGGER - in a nice way of course.

I sat next to Philippe and he asked me to take his photo so here it is...

I sat opposite Freddy and Muriel, Iwona Blazwick and Andrew Renton on a huge big long table at the Rochelle School.

Coincidently the next evening in Berlin at Andreas Gursky’s dinner I was sat in exactly the same place opposite Muriel and Freddie but this time with Monica Sprüth. The new Gursky work was spectacular - views from NASA Satellites.

I also sat next to Carl Freeman who was very happy that we had acquired Fergal Stapleton’s works and he asked if I would take his photo so here it is...

I dropped by to Haunch of Venison where Damien and Michael Joo were the stars. I bumped into Tim and Sue, Michael Landy (first time in Berlin), Gillian Wearing & Keith Tyson who is getting ready for his Triathlon and is on great form. Damien’s revolting work....flies all over the picnic table - yuck!

Lizzie, Maitreyi, Bernd, Anna-Catharina Gebbers and Christian Ehrentraut - My Anglo-German Gang!

Then they somehow managed to drag me to a the Dice club where everyone was very happy and Marc Almond was singing the night away. I spotted one of his biggest fans.

LA was there in full force Sean Regan, Glenn Ligon, Peter Doig, Steve Hanson and Javier Peres with his dream team. We were all dancing to Rory’s Reggae then to Spencer Sweeney’s ensemble.

I caught up the next day with Hurvin Anderson in the street who only last night we were dancing away with.

We loved the group show that Pavel Büchler had put together at Tanya Leighton Gallery. We bumped into him with Douglas Gordon. I asked Pavel if we could meet again as I really liked him. I reserved a slide show on plastic bags by Sean Edwards.

Martin Klosterfelde showed us his new space an old printers shop still intact Isaac and Freda Uziyel joined us.

We paid a visit to Johann König and the work he was showing was by the artist David Zink Yi - he had created a forest of silver palm trees.

We admired the laid back atmosphere at the Berlin galleries – even on the busy Gallery weekend.

Our highlight was bumping into Tom Burr at Neu Gallery’s MD72 space - it was amazing to meet him and talk about his work. We have recently acquired some of his work for the collection.

Our last stop was to see Sebastian and Sylvia at KLEMM’s where we bought another Alexej Meschtschanow work called ‘Baltic Boy’. A lovely way to finish of our pleasure trip, sadly no time for Museums but we managed to visit over 30 Galleries in 24 Hours...!

Our farewell to Berlin was a naked man emerging from the U-Bahn... Happy Labour Day!

Great Smiles - April 2010

2010-05-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

My impenetrable Israeli Easter bubble has finally burst!

I was celebrating our daughter turning into an adult and we invited a few of our friends to join us in the Dead Sea it was a dream. Now back and buried deep into the art bubble again.
But even in Israel we managed to check out the vibrant and über trendy Tel Aviv art scene.

We headed to Jaffa and after ate an amazing lunch in the harbour amongst the fishing boats: Shifra from Dvir Gallery joined art lovers Simon, Kenny, Jaqui, Daniel, Amir, Lizzie, Arlene, Tiffany and myself. And then off to Dvir gallery where Shifra and her son proudly stand in the midst of works by Abdel Abdessemed and Claire Fontaine.

Then we went to the Dead Sea where Thomas Dane and Paul Pfeiffer show off their mud. I promised Thomas i would not show a picture of him without his hat ... so no mud pictures unless Michael Landy begs me to. (Photo: Richard Braine)

Then back to London and 176, where the Library of Babel is in full swing (extended until 13 June art lovers!). We have had so many excellent guest speakers take tours, which as well as the artists in the show include other volunteers from all walks of life.

Tracey dropped by for a tour with Catharina, Sophie von Hellermann and Alex Heim to talk about her photograph called ‘Good Smile, Great Come.’

Sarah Thornton joined Sue Pearce and Anne Welsh who gave talks on collecting and knowledge - it was very entertaining.

Artist Lora Hristova gave a talk on her favourite artists in the show - it was wonderfully dark in nature.

I went to Dasha’s BRIC tea party at Philips, it was a lovely afternoon, then to Fake Modern at Camden Arts Centre for the Outset Big Rip Off day.

I acquired some bricks by Caragh Thuring and some wool by Katja Strunz. Alex De Cunha gave quite a quirky henna Sierra performance....

Then I went to the wonderful lunch for BFAMI. It is their tenth year and Tracey Emin was the honoured recipient of the Woman in Arts award. She gave the most wonderful talk with Tim Marlow interviewing. Then popped on her top hat and raised many twenty pound notes before picking the winner... me! And nope, it was not fixed.

Tracey could see I did not want to give my beautiful mono print away so she generously donated yet another which went to Pamela Crystal.

Then Graham Steele of White Cube desperately counted the money with the help of his assistant Tim Marlow.

Assistant and Chairman Wendy Fisher with Tracey

Muriel Salem and Georgina Djanogly with Tracey

Heather Kerzner, Tim Marlow and Candida Gertler - giving great smiles.

Later I dropped into the show of Gerry Fox at eleven - the show is very beautiful and an amazing introduction to any collector of Modern Masters who wishes to collect contemporary art.

His few days old little girl also paid a visit to the show...

Then I head of to the Victoria and Albert depositories at Blyth House for the new Artangel project by Judith Clark and Adam Phillips: The Concise Dictionary of Dress.

It is all one big huge mystery that perplexed me from beginning to end, even with Alain De Botton as my walking partner.

Then to Modern Art Inc and the mesmerising show by Nigel Cooke. He gave myself and some ladies a lovely talk on the story of creativity.

Hilary Crisp had created a wonderful show with the help of Graham Hudson. This is a work by RCA student Ed Fornieles. I am wondering if this might influence my younger kids to want to collect?

New York New York

2010-03-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

New York New York

Everywhere we went in New York, Alicia Keys' song was blaring in my ears!
We had the most amazing time and our trip was very successful.

The Armory organisers can be very proud of themselves, as they created a great vibe through the city.

The Armory itself was a little too visual for me - especially being jetlagged. But we did spot a few great art works - Rina Banerjee, Philip Lorca di Corcia, David Haines (who sold out his booth within the first minute of the art fair opening).

David Haines

Our first stop was to Dakis Joannou at the New Museum. We bumped into a few great friends,

like Dakis and Lisa Dennison,

Tim Noble with blonde woman,

Richard Flood who was checking in his guests on arrival.

The next day was a whirlwind of art fairs: Pulse, our first stop, where we saw the work of Timothy Berg and Rebekah Myers's Futurama

Then we went to Volta, where Heather Cantrell was creating some interesting new photos. Watch out for the gorilla and the fox in the background of other shots!

Andrew Renton

The Independent fair was by far our favourite. It did not feel like and art fair.

We made a few gallery visits, and our favourite were Bryce Wolkowicz Gallery, showing the Helsinki School. And at Deitch Projects, showing the work of Rosson Crow. And a wonderful show at Andrea Rosen showing Wolfgang Tillmans.

Amir Shariat becoming and MB gallerist for the day at Marianne Boesky Gallery.

We gave a lovely dinner for Tate

We had some wonderful guests, including some collectors from around the world including Rob Diament and Russell Tovey! Also joining us were Gabriel Orozco, Tino Sehgal, Matthew Day Jackson, Susan Collis, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Tracey Emin.

The new married couple, the De Purys joined us and were very happy as their sale was a big success.

Afterwards, we went with Tracey, Rob and Russell to the Avenue, where she kindly gave my friend Jill dancing lessons.

We dropped by Matthew Day Jackson's studio in Brooklyn, and he introduced us to
Nick Van Woert and

Amir Shariat and Matthew Day Jackson

Jorg Grimm, Amir Shariat, Dave McDermott and Matthew Day Jackson

Lizzie checking it out

Our late nighter, we spent at the Mercer, with Thomas Dane and Simon Preston
Thomas and Lizzie

Simon

Our last stop was visiting Vito Schnabel and his brothers Si and Olmo at the Brucennial 2010, where we purchased his latest discovery, Vahakn Arslannin and purchased our very first Aaron Young for the Collection.

Work by Vahakn Arslannin

Then back home to London, and at 176 we hosted a panel discussion for Israeli video artists, who had been showing at Tate Modern, chaired by Candida Gertler and organised by Ayelet Elstein.

Then off to the CAS dinner, which was a great success. Everybody looked amazing, dressed in white.

Michael King looked like Larry Gagosian? ...Or Steve Martin? Definitely somebody famous.

Top marks for Elsian! I award her ten out of ten.

The Library of Babel

2010-03-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

Max Wigram gave me a special tour of his wonderful new space... he is a very happy gallerist.

He is now exactly where he should be! Go Go Max...

Then we dropped by Conor Harrington's studio. He's one of those artists who never leaves my mind and eats away at it till finally I have to take my thoughts seriously and go for it and commission him to create the biggest painting for our home.

After lingering in the ski slopes with my kids, 176 worked themselves to the ground. Poor Ellen head of exhibitions did not even make it to the opening so she is the unsung hero...hanging the Library of Babel, a show so chaotic that somehow there is definitely some kind of coherence. Everyone tells me it is an amazing show and the art is fabulous. Lizzie, the 176 team, the artists, gallerists, fellow collectors, our advisors, friends are all so happy so I am very happy! BEST SHOW IN LONDON!

Alex Heim, Nicole Wermers and Sophie von Hellermann

Anna-Catharina Gebbers did an amazing job. So many people came from Germany to visit us, so we gave them a very special lunch at home...

Nick Hackworth, Gosha Ostretsov, Matthew Houlding, Tom Früchtl

Ryan Gander, Anthony Green, Keith Tyson

Lora Hristova standing with her works in my bathroom

Andrew Grassie, Anna-Catharina Gebbers and Bernt Heusinger

Smirting in the garden!

Helen Frik, Poppy Sebire, Neil Hamon, Helene Appel

George Young, Sveinn Fannar Johannson and Henrietta, his partner

Jonathan Viner and Hilary Rose Crisp

David O'Kane

Giles Eldridge and Bea De Souza

Mummery + Schnelle

George Young and Steve Bishop

Anne Hardy and Kate MacGarry

...then had an amazing party and after-party at Spring Studios for about 500 guests. Thank you everyone for taking the time and effort - we so do appreciate it.

Rob Diament with Scott

Bunny Bridges

Gosha Ostretsov and a friend

The party at Spring

Me with Oskar Schmidt

Alexander Zika talking with Liz Neal

The next day Lizzie and I xombied our way to the Rochelle School and met my lil' sis' Yana Peel (a little pregnant), Johnathan Viner, Sophie Von Hellerman and S Mark Gubb for a lovely lunch.

January and February 2010

2010-02-11T01:43:00.001-08:00

I find myself hosted in the most wonderful settings in Tate Britain seated between Dinos Chapman and David Batchelor. It was a lovely ménage à trois, I have to say.

The Chris Ofili show was spectacular: bursting with colour and energy, I had never seen the likes of. Sadly I don't have his work in the collection, as my other half always had a problem with the Dung thing.

We entered the caverns of the David Adjaye installation and there were laid out before us the most beautiful jewel-like paintings I have laid my eyes on.

I bumped into Ales Ortuzar from David Zwirner talking to the art philanthropist Hazel Collins.

Wendy Fisher having a serious and instense conversation with Louisa Guiness and Ben Brown.

Then we headed off to Camden Arts Centre for a little breath of fresh air as Briony Fer, the curator of this show took us around with Lizzie, Valeria Napoleone and her sister Stefania Prammi, looking magnificent dressed in their wonderful ensembles.

Then it was to the home of Karsten Schubert, who was giving a dinner for the artist Dan Perfect.

This is Dan with the artist Jane Burstyn.

Jack Kirkland looking a little shy.

Matthew Collins GOTCHA and other guests.

Carla Borel from Tim Taylor Gallery

Glenn Brown

Ben Parsons deep in conversation.

Our host, Karsten Schubert

Laurel Nakadate came over to visit us and her work at 176.

We premiered her film Stay the Same Never Change, which was very well received. She was a pupil of Gregory Crewdson, who as well as being a good friend is incredibly well represented in the collection. Laurel is part of my Gregory Girl collection, which includes such Justine Kirland, Anna Gaskell, Dana Hoey etc...

We gave Laurel a lovely Sunday lunch at home.

Darren and Christabel Flook came with their gorgeous four month baby Ludovic.

Then we headed off to 176 where David Blandy gave a performance of Shaolin monks being hit with Baseball bats followed by the film Enter the 36th Chamber. Not really my kind of thing but very interesting.

Monday was John Gerrard's opening at Thomas Dane. The dinner was held at Gordon Watson and it was very special. John had designed the whole evening. He designed the chairs - poor Emily King went crashing hope she has no bruises.

The chairs were inspired by Cuba and he described them as drawings, the cutelry was moulded from goats' bones and he used the shoulders as salad tossers.

He shows the tossers to Michael Craig-Martin...

...and then gives Martine d'Anglejan Chatillon a big cuddle in front of a wonderful Glen Ligon neon.

The guest list included many fabulous people. Francois Chantala had to leave early - sadly his Granny had just died. Kadee and friend receiving a loving kiss from a very happy Gordon.

Tuesday I find myself in Israel planning my daughter's Batmitzvah.

I had time to visit the studio in the countryside on a farm of the artist/photographer LOVKA it was the most beautiful studio I have ever visited.

Now I am on holiday skiing and when I get back we have our opening of The Library of Babel curated by Anna-Catharina Gebbers with the help of our 176 team, Lizzie, Ellen and Maitreyi (and even a little bit me!) The opening is on 25th February and seeing that you made such an effort to check me out the least I can do is invite you to join us on the 25th if you are in town.

Into the New Year...

2010-01-19T03:56:00.000-08:00

This year we had an amazing Christmas party for 176 and the Collection at HIX in Soho.

Mark and I share our birthday - sadly he got run over by a bus and was somewhat in pain but he gave me a beautiful silver goblet to drink the homegrown English south coast Vodka from.

DJ Tom Richards was amazing - he even threw in a few old-people songs for me.

My team gifted me a beautiful poem written by the lovely Lail Arad.

Artists Haroon Mirza and Laura Buckley.

Rosie Allerhand, Rob Diament, and I.

The Wilkinson brothers and Bruce Haines and Harriet Quick.

Sam Lee and his new guy getting it together...

George Young with Graham Hudson (Great artists. Great dancers)

Before we all headed to NY, we dropped into MOT to be photographed by Heather Cantrell.

Then we dropped by to see Mustafa and his new statues, entitled The Ruins.

Then off to New York and the JUDD foundation where we were made to feel most welcome.

We discussed a female interpretation of the masculinity of Donald Judd with Donald’s daughter Rainer and Barbara Hunt McLanahan showed us their wonderful Judd furniture.

With Jane Hamlyn and all the girls at Teen Vogue.

Then dropped into a couple of galleries.

At Andrea Rosen’s we purchased a lovely work by the artist Erik Wysocan and admired the work of William J O’Brian at Marianne Boesky.

Spencer Sweeney welcomed me into his installation where he was painting a self-portrait a day.

Then St Barth’s. So many successful collectors, artists and art dealers go there to play. It was quite a scene. I found it quite fascinating that not one person apart from Peter Brandt and Vito Schnabel spoke about art.

Tony Shafrazi was the only one out there working his butt off , showing the beautiful paintings by Jason Bereswill in his pristine pop-up gallery.

Larry Gagosian and Shala Monroque gave a beautiful wedding party in their gorgeous new home built by Christian Liaigre. The wedding was for an exuberant Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo. They both looked incredible with a cake to match!

Next thing we were all dancing the night away in front of Gwen Stefani at Dasha and Roman's spectacular New Year's Party. It was the best New Year we ever had.

On our way home Robin Vousden (with broken arm) and Pauline Karpidas dropped Roy and me off in Miami, we headed to visit Mera Rubell and she gave us a private tour - it was totally fascinating.

We camped out in front of her Mark Handforth Motor Bike.

Then home sweet home and to London Art Fair where we were exhibiting our editions and selecting some wonderful photographers for them to show. I enjoyed London Art Fair, it was friendly and not overwhelming and also a pleasure to see Modern British and contemporary under the same roof.

Congratulations!

2010-01-06T02:49:00.000-08:00

A big congratulations goes to Dr Michaela Neumeister who married Simon de Pury: the biggest and best-kept secret in the Art World!

Michaela announces she married, her submarine emerged and her crocodile is called Simon.

Miami 09

2009-12-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

Miami here I come, the sunsoaked warm sunshine town with Sandy Beaches that disappear into the horizon and ART. What more can I ask for.

I arrive at the Gansevoort and before my eyes art two feisty DUANE HANSONS checking in at the reception.

I was struck down with the lurgy but still managed to soldier on to Miami art fair which was full of sparkle and glamour.

In the evening we had time to drop by to the Rubell collection. Mera looked amazing in her grand wig and already the scene was buzzing.

Victoria Miro and Warren were in full swing with Michaela Neumeister and some crazy lady wanting to kill me?

Scottish Adam McEwen, very proud of his installation chatting with Clarissa Dalrymple and pretty lady.

Miami art fair. On our way in our first sighting was the handsome Marc Jancou with his wondrous white shoes leading the way.

White was the colour, Black Art uniform discarded, Abdullah and Aline, both looking amazing and greeting us with big smiles on the way in to the Exhibition Hall.

We managed to create a small crater in my pocket with the help of Jim Lambie, Agathe Snow, Marine Hugonnier, John Bock and Paul P.

Writers were in full force. A writer from The Art Newspaper in front of Subodh Guptah's fabulous silver car.

There were definitely some romances in the art fairs. Nina Beier being very romantic with her beau.

Some Olaf Breuning-inspired costumes to promote Beer at NADA

We bumped into my favourite Dude/Artist in the whole world Dan Attoe. His new work was fresh and vibrant.

Lizzie and I loved NADA - the quality, as usual, was of a high standard.

The hot artist of the day was Brenden Fowler however we had our eyes on another artist shhhhhh don’t tell any one but his name is Scott Hug he is brilliant!

We loved Erwin Wurm's cucumber. Rumours were that it was bought by Beth Rudin de Woody?

Jo Coupe's work at Work Place was so exquisite.

On our journey Johnny Pigozzi showed us his new treasure, must be African Art?

Party time was fun and I was drugged up on Night nurse and Orange Juice and felt very happy. Jeffrey Deitch party with Santigold was a don’t-miss affair.

Great scene: Elliot McDonald with very pretty girl with sexy ankle.

Then of to the PURPLE PARTY with Javier Peres, Dan Attoe, Lizzie.

It was very naughty party smoking in the basement, indoors in USA. Disgraceful!!!!

My other NBF apart from Madonna is Raphael de Cardenas posing with Javier. Met some great people.

I had deep conversation with Terence Koh about him using technology in his work. Here are Terence and Dan Attoe.

Pulse was more experimental
and strange.

Tekrar Level Four by David M Abir. Light and Sound Sculpture.

Maria Jose Arjona
Affirmation just standing there all day long!

Danny setting off fireworks in a box!

We dropped by first to the Aspen Museum party and bumped in to Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn and her lovely mum.

P.S Jeanne is really the “Queen of Arts” in my opinion.

Then to see Aaron Young in action. His work is so Macho!!!

The hot hotel in town is called the W and it is spectacular. The party was hosted by the nicest boys in New York. Aby Rosen, Alberto Mugrabi, Larry Gagosian.

At last I had the pleasure of meeting Rashid Johnson. Looks, personality and talent - what a lethal combination?

At last I caught up with Lyor and Tory Birch who tells me she is opening 15 shops, I cannot wait and I got a big hug as I walked through the door.

Managed to snatch a foto of Lyor and Stellan Holm together.

Tony Shafrazi been swept away by Pilar Corrias

Jeanne with Julian Schnabel's son Vito, making a strong name for himself on the art scene.

Rosa and sisters looking very happy and incredibly proud of the new museum.

Rosa and Carlos in their new museum with all their team who are mainly from the local area. Rosa's energy, eye and philanthropy are an inspiration to us all.

Love the exit sign in Rosa's private area.

Then the opposite as people relax in her beach front home eating breakfast.

Back to the art fair again and Aaron Young showing Lizzie his latest art work.

Caught up with Michael Briggs and Patrick Painter. Patrick was still in his wheely but doing amazing after his major op.

Our last encounter in the fair was Mark Spiegler and Ann Gallagher in the NetJets Lounge. Recession has not hit completely as there are still private jets and art fairs!

Then it was goodbye Miami and on our way we checked our home-grown Graham Hudson - we were very proud of him he was a big success in Design Miami/ 2009. Workshop, a factory and salon created by artist Jim Drain, poet P. Scott Cunningham, and Graham.

176 / Zabludowicz Collection Future Map Prize and Damien Hirst

2009-11-30T02:22:00.000-08:00

NOV 23rd and London art scene was buzzing.

Hoxton Square was swarming: on one end at number 20, Alex Delall with his proud grandfather Jack at his side hosted the 176 / Zabludowicz Collection Future Map Prize.

The other side was Damien Hirst's magnificent and deadly paintings looming down at the young students in the distance.

There were some amazing works in the Future Map show. Sonny Sanjay Vadgama already aquired for the collection, Fred Mercer the filmmaker whose content was quite shocking: a father nabbing his daughter's kidney for money while the audience and child are lulled into a safe fairytale-fed vortex.

Then there is Una Burke who already has orders from Lady Ga Ga, and I of course sent to my NBF Madonna just in case.

The winner of them all we decided unanimously with Nancy Durrant and Jeremy Deller was the video artist Cindie Chueng, who was BA student not even MA. Here's Medeia Cohen introducing us.

It was all very emotional and the alumni were very proud of themselves!

Jeremy Deller

Here's Nigel Carrington, Rector of University of the Arts London, with Cindie and me.

Then off to Mark Hix to meet Tracey and suddenly I am camera shy again. I managed to introduce Rob Diament, Young Pop Star, to Paul McCartney, Old Pop Star.

We drank amazing vodka made in London given by Mark Hix's great new Bar Man, Nick Strangeway.

I met Jay's mum who is, I thought, a beautiful lady.

Roy always looking up to Jay.

Then off to One Marlybone, the big church.

We hung out with Tracey and we danced first with a very pretty lady biologist, then another lady biologist who apparently, according to Louisa Buck, found the DNA of the fruit fly! Whatever that means. Anyway the dancing was very molecular and bonkers!

November "part deux"

2009-11-24T10:08:00.001-08:00

Interesting week, Nick Serota in conversation with Kevin Spacey and Alan Yentob in the chair at Tate Britain. It was incredibly charming.

Then the next evening was BFAMI British Friends of the Museums of Israel. I found myself with a Muntean and Rosenbleum wooden motorbike!!

Anish Kapoor was described as the Master of the Universe. He gave a great talk on abstraction and metaphysics I think, hardly anyone knew what he was talking about but they all still enjoyed it.

There was a fantastic turnout and Oli Barker was auctioneer for the night.

James Snyder and Nick Serota were sat together side by side - this made me very happy to see.

Wendy Fisher was a superb chairman.

Georgina Cohen was bouncing around that father Franky is going to be on telly with Saatchi. Really gutted 176 is not included in Charles' project, I must no longer be his “Queen of Cool”.

Jake has cut his beard off at last I can tell the difference between him and Stuart!!

Then off to Paris Photo and that was fantastico…It started in Palais de Tokyo with the Tate group who were quite happily exhausted they had been on the go for three solid days.

Once again the Finns stole the party: Timothy Pearsons with one of his artists Niko Luoma.

Talking about dying the Deadline show at Musée d'Art Moderne was incredible and I followed Tiffany with her classmates Lauren Tata and Laura Stratford and Mr C to see Albert Oehlen, then Rodin's Thinker.

They finally laid to rest their obsessive hate of Balzac by leaving a secret letter under his big fat belly….

November

2009-11-23T04:03:00.000-08:00

What a lovely week it has been.

We put together a very special dinner at 176 for the Tate Patrons. I think it was enjoyed by all.

The guest list was a great mixture, from the great philanthropist and friend

Candida Gertler,

to Kenny Schachter and Jolana Vaino,

Fatima Maleki, Thomas Dane and the artist David Blandy,

Sir Nicholas Serota and Georgina Cohen.

On Saturday Ryan Gander gave a wonderful talk about STUFF. It was very very interesting. I discovered there is a Clingon and Elf language! Many things I did not know.

Lisson team were out and about. I introduced Louise Hayward, Nick Logsdail and Ryan to Mitch Epstein who was passing through.

FIAC, New York and London

2009-11-10T10:13:00.001-08:00

Lizzie and I headed of to FIAC expecting not too much and we were pleasantly surprised by a great art fair. Both sections were interesting and the galleries had brought the best of the best. It was quite impressive.

Managed to catch Gary Webb installing his wall mirrored piece on Stefania and Jake's stand.

We were so lucky as we managed to strike gold twice we found an incredible installation by Matthew Day Jackson and Rashid Johnson and an amazing suite of Jitish Kallat photographs. I could not believe my luck.

Also we managed to educate ourselves with new works and artists. Finally Palais de Tokyo, and we locked ourselves in a Fridge!

Then of to New York...sadly was there a little too early, before the festivities, but managed to have lunch and tea with Scott and Tracey and their wonderful Glasgow friend David Eustace.

I was their welcoming party and devastated I was missing all the parties in honour of Tracey.. Her show looked amazing! Very uplifting!

Back to London after dropping into Morocco for a very un-art event given by Sol and Heather Kerzner for his opening of his amazing hotel so no photos. Loads of celebs but I did not bother with them really just partied on in my corner was an amazing holiday for me Poju and Olivia.

Now back home and it is November and dropped by the Young BFAMI party given by Nicola Heller and Yasmine Datnow.

DJ artist Richard Parry at the party.

Noga Engler and her son Amos.

And here is the artist Gaby Klasmer.

Then off to the Tate party for Michael Landy where he gave a great dinner and is being interviewed by Judith Nesbitt in front of his work, as Gillian looks on.

Frieze definitely rocked...

2009-10-28T10:55:00.001-07:00

...even if I said in the Culture Show this year was a safe year. It was, but it was still great fun.

Monica Spruth had just managed to discover that John Baldessarri was very tall and I was thrilled as he had permitted me to take his Photo.

Olivia was very proud of herself as she stood under Ryan Ganders amazing continuous project.

There was her picture hung in Frieze for all to see.

Lail Arad and Ron Arad at Frieze.

The very young were being incredibly inspired by what was going on.

Cartier gave a wonderful party at Scotts for Frieze and I managed to capture a rare photo of Louisa Buck, who happened to be chatting with Ryan.

Thursday was Zoo day and we sold our editions for 176 - we had such great fun.

Also I managed to find a few great art works by David Haines, George Young, Neil Hamon and Clunie Reid.

Well done Soraya! You are an unsung hero in London.

Also we bumped into the curator Rob Tuffnell, coming out of a very dark corner, we are convinced he is a Nocturnal.

Friday morning was a fabulous time for the unsung heroes of the art world, the artists to shine.

Kay Saatchi with David Blandy and the winner of the Channel 4 New Sensations Oliver Beer. We bought his amazing work for the collection.

The lovely Lancaster sisters from Up North both as equally talented as each other.

We started at Raqib Shaw's on Saturday, where I found myself, eyes squeezed shut being pushed six foot into the ceiling on his Fragonard swing then our feet being nibbled by gold fish in the pretty fountain pond. Later, we paid a visit to Maureen Paley's party.

Vincente Todoli, Norman Rosenthal and Jeffrey Deitch were witness to my demise.

Nun at the door handing out leaflets for the Museum of Everything.

Joe La Placa from All Visual Arts had achieved a great job with The Age of Marvellous. A new Saatchi has been born perhaps?

I loved it not sure if I wanted to own any of it. I must say as a collector I was stumped, I was neither critical or wanton just having fun enjoying the Sensation of Effect!

Starting to feel like papparazzi

2009-10-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Starting to feel like Papparazzi, have also discovered the older generation does not like their picture taken either.

First night with Baldessari dinner given by Monica Spruth and Philemena Magers - incredibly glamorous but who would have thought John was so camera shy!

Then even worse at Larry's wonderful Ed Rucha dinner, Stefan tried to help me out but all he got was a bun on his forehead thrown by Lucien Freud.

I had the pleasure of meeting the charismatic Aaron Young I was incredibly flattered he told me he was MY fan!

Dropped by the next day to check out Boo Ritsons new show she is creating some amazing tryptich she is so excited about it.

Then it was Walead Beshty's opening, Thomas was very happy with himself - caught him and Peter in a gang bang corner at Ivors.

Lovely picture of Thomas and Caragh Thuring.

Then Oct 13th. Breakfast at 176 followed by lunch at home.

Isaac Julien and David Blandy, Norman Rosenthal his friend Alex Gartenfeld dropped by.

At home the Rubell family dropped in for lunch. My mentors Myra and Don in a loving embrace in the sunshine.

Karen Russo, Mustafa Hulusi and Doug Fishbourne posing for me.

Finally I managed to persuade Lizzie, Rob Diament and Ellen to pose for me all wearing the latest matching hairstyles!

Weds 15th Oct Frieze Art Fair, it starts with a warm welcome from Deutche Bank and Thomas Struth telling us about his secret future work.

Then the next three hours Lizzie and I are in a whirlwind of people and impossible to see the art.

I bump into the two Alexs.

Dave and Paul from Seventeen gallery fashionably attired in horn-rimmed glasses.

Then finally my head turns and I see an array of incredible talent, two smelly socks going for 20 000Euros by Buchel at Hauser and Wirth and a flying squirrel.

However we managed to find some lovely new works for the collection. Kelley Walker, Seth Price, Jack Strange and Ryan Gander so I was happy.

I bumped into the debonair and handsome Francois Chantala who very kindly stood next to his Walead Beshty foto of himself where a collector in Boston will place it in his home, hopefully not the bathroom.

At the end of the day I was so happy to see Javier Peres dressed in our Special Editioned Dan Attoe T Shirt.
p.s Dan is one of my favourite artists in the collection he is a seriously great Dude.

Just a quick mention this is Mike and Sue they have a blog site, John who I sat next to in the aeroplane last week introduced me to them both.