Q & A With Art Collector - John Marquez
Art Basel Miami was pretty intense for League OTO. Visiting booths that were filled with amazing pieces, to meeting/seeing fellow collectors that we love talking to via Instagram. But the best part of our Miami trip was visiting a League OTO family member, John Marquez. We are honored and grateful for John having us over, sharing his amazing art collection and hearing great stories behind each piece. We were definitely kids in a candy store. John shared some insight with us on how he collects what he loves and how to start your own collection.
L - What’s the 1st piece of art you remember acquiring?
JM- It was a sculpture of an insect by a Mexican artist named Pablo Castillo, and smoke ring photograph by Donald Sultan.
L - Do you feel Instagram has helped or hurt collectors or art in general?
JM - Social media has helped collectors by allowing us to stay on top of what galleries and artist are doing on a day-to-day basis without having to travel. It also facilitates networking with other people in the industry.
L - We know you are an avid art collector but what are some of your other passions?
JM - I also collect vintage sports watches and vintage jackets. Aside from collecting, I really love to travel, workout, snowboard, and go to the beach with my family.
L - Give us two artists you really love at the moment.
JM - Wow that’s really tough, because I love so many. It’s going to have to be 3 : Robert Nava, Javi Calleja, and Robin Frances Williams.
L - Would you ever consider making your vast collection available to the public?
JM - Certainly, hopefully some day!
L - With 3 wonderfully rambunctious children do you ever worry about having so much art in the house?
JM - Lol. All the time. I try to either frame or strategically place the works that come home in safe areas. I also like to think my kids are pretty trained not to touch them, but at the end of the day they are still kids so you’re never 100% at ease. Family is what I value the most in life, then as far second but still second, is art. They both have the ability to make me happy. Constantly rotating my collection in my house is something that reenergizes and gives joy to our home. It’s hard to put a price tag on that. P.S a good insurance policy always helps.
L - Speaking of children What is the one piece of art you know you will pass down to them in your collection?
JM - As many as I can!
L - What advice would 2019 John give 2009 John on life in general?
JM - I could write a book of advice to my younger self. You can’t buy experience, and 10 years of experience is a lot. When I was in my 20’s I thought I knew it all, now in my 30’s I know way more that I did 10 years ago and I am aware I still don’t know anything. If I have to give you one piece of advice, it would be to try to be present in every moment and enjoy life. Life passes by too fast because we live inside our heads thinking of the past and future, and forget to live in the moment.
L - With prices sky rocketing do you think the “art bubble” will ever burst?
JM - If it’s a bubble it will burst eventually. The question is if it is a bubble or not. I hope that if it is, it is more artist specific than the market as a whole! We need to be clear that nothing can go up forever without plateauing or correcting. This is why if you’re a collector, it’s so important to always buy what you love with a long term mentality.
L - Why do you think the art world still looks negatively at KAWS with all he has accomplished in the last few years?
JM - I believe that the art world isn’t too accepting of artists that didn’t grow up with the right credentials, like going to a prominent art school or exhibiting at the right museums. In recent years some people see it as gaudy or too commercial, I think he is a genius!
L - What is the one piece of art that got away?
JM - There have been many, but I think they were never meant to be mine. About a year ago a beautiful Nicolas Party Still Life painting got away.
L - With all the emerging artists in the world how do you identify potential ones to add to your collection?
JM - With so many artists today and prices being so high on average, it is definitely tough and overwhelming. I try to trust in what I like first and foremost, then the validation of galleries I respect.
Everyone including us admire your collection, Are there any other collector’s collections you admire?
Of course there are many collector’s collections I admire. The main public collections in Miami like the Margulies , De la Cruz, and Rubells’ have always been a source of great Inspiration. In Los Angeles, the Weisman and Marciano collections both have aesthetics I really identify with! At a more private level I really enjoyed Frank Moore’s collection in NYC, and Alberto’s Chechebar’s in LA.
L - What advice would you give to someone who is trying to get into collecting art?
JM - Be smart about what you buy. Be diligent when conducting research about what to buy. Look for good representations of the artist’s work. Make sure condition is good, and try to find a line of what to collect and put together a collection that makes some sort of sense to you. Most important of all, don’t be afraid to start buying. With art prices today being so high, it can be very intimidating to pull the trigger on a purchase. There is only a small percentage of people in the world at all income levels that can conceive putting a substantial part of their pay check or net worth into a piece of canvass , paper, or object, but when done with the heart and some brain it can be one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences. It certainly has been for me!
- JM
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