John Kaldor Family Collection

John Kaldor has been collecting art for fifty years. His first buy was a Roy Lichtenstein purchased in 1963 for fifty dollars. His collection has since grown to the value of 35 million dollars worth and is now housed in the new Art Gallery of NSW wing, which bares his own name, The John Kaldor Family Collection.

Kaldors successful background in Textiles enabled him to collect works of art from around the globe. This passion has since seen him establish Kaldor Art Projects, which has been listed as a charitable organization since 2004. This company has supported the creation of more than 20 public artworks that include and are not limited to Sol Lewit, Stephan Vitiello and Thomas Demand.[1]

Since 1969 when his first foray into this field brought Christo and his wife Jeanne-Claude to Sydney to wrap Little Bay he has established himself as one of the most prominent patrons of the arts in Australia. Both he and his wife Milgrom have served on various arts committees. [2]

The new collection at the art gallery of NSW is Kaldors personal collection. Most of the pieces have been housed at certain times in his own house. Many works are a testimony to his long-standing relationships with artist. Of these is his bedroom, which has been recreated for the public. Wall drawing #1091:arcs, circles and bands (room) was originally painted by Sol Lewit.[3] Within this collection there are in excess of fifteen Sol Lewit pieces, twelve Christo’s and fourteen Michael Landys’[4]. All three of these artists have been involved in Kaldors Public Art Projects.

Overall the collection is an exciting array of works and insight into a collector’s life. Kaldor and his wife have been involved in all the hangings of works and colour choices for their displays[5]. It is an insightful collection, which documents various temporal and non-temporal works. I believe the Australian public will enjoy a gift which could have so easily have been sold off at various auction houses as a rich and education tool, which invites discourse. This gift to the Australian public further cements John Kaldors great interest in investing in the public’s education and inspiration. 

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[1] Garry Maddox, “A life’s works” review of John Kaldor Family Collection, Art Gallery NSW, Sydney Morning Herald, May7, 2011 http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/a-lifes-works-20110505-1e8rb.html

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4]Kaldor art Projects “About”. Accessed, June 14, 2012 http://kaldorartprojects.org.au/about/background

[5] Garry Maddox, “A life’s works” review of John Kaldor Family Collection, Art Gallery NSW, Sydney Morning Herald, May7, 2011 http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/a-lifes-works-20110505-1e8rb.html

Bibliography

Art Gallery NSW, Contemp-Galleries-MR-2.pdf (page 1-7) accessed June 14, 2012.

http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/galleries/contemporary/

Kaldor art Projects “About”. Accessed, June 14, 2012 http://kaldorartprojects.org.au/about/background

Maddox, Garry. “A life’s works” Review of John Kaldor Family Collection. Art Gallery of NSW. Sydney Morning Herald, May 7, 2011. Accessed June 14, 2012

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/a-lifes-works-20110505-1e8rb.html