Inside Jeanne Beker’s personal art collection: LaChapelle, Gaultier, Saint Laurent, and more!
Jeanne Beker’s lifelong romance with fashion has been widely broadcast over the years, but did you know that she’s also an art lover? The Fashion Television host has been collecting contemporary art since 1980, beginning with her first painting from artist Marion Perlet. “Starting a collection seems daunting because it sounds like you’re making a commitment to a certain style or form or sensibility or type of work,” says Beker. “Art is all around us and exists in so many wonderful, different forms and at so many different price points.”
Beker was invited by the Art Gallery of Ontario to share several works from her diverse collection as part of the gallery’s Collector’s Series. FASHION got a one-on-one tour of her favourite pieces, along with some tips for would-be art aficionados. “Buy something that really speaks to you at the moment,” she advises. “And don’t ever buy anything just because you think it’s going to look good over your couch!”
Check out the display from Nov. 29 to Dec. 16 at the AGO’s Art Rental + Sales Gallery (481 University Ave., Toronto, 416-977-4654, ago.net/artrental).