| | Chloe Berkowitz is featured in the Untitled Art this month. The Florida based artists Berkowitz, a philanthropist, shares her views,and perspectives below on art, and community. . |
| | As part of Untitled Edit’s new series on collection building, we invite collectors within our community to share their personal perspectives, experiences, and advice for those beginning or expanding upon their collecting journey.
This month, we are pleased to feature Chloe Berkowitz, a Miami-based arts philanthropist and founder of the Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation, whose work champions free, accessible art experiences across diverse audiences. Read the full interview to learn more about Berkowitz’s approach to collecting, philanthropy, and expanding access to contemporary art. |
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| | Untitled Art (UA): How and where do you discover new artists?
Chloe Berkowitz (CB): Discovery can happen almost anywhere. It might be in galleries, museums, or artist studios, but it can also happen through conversations with other collectors or by visiting unexpected spaces and independent initiatives. I think the path to discovery is about staying open and constantly looking. Curiosity is essential. Ask questions, explore widely, and be willing to take chances. Never be intimidated by a new experience or space. I have made some of my best connections by pushing myself out of my comfort zone. |
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| "The most meaningful collections grow out of curiosity, patience, and intuition. As your collection starts to grow, ask yourself, ‘What story am I telling?'” - CB |
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| | | | Juana Valdes from Berkowitz’s personal collection. Image courtesy of Chloe Berkowitz.
UA: Do you have a specific philosophy you adhere to with your collecting and any advice you'd give to emerging collectors for how to meaningfully develop their own collections?
CB: My philosophy has always been to start with my heart and follow with a budget. On the most basic level, you want to live with a piece of art because it's beautiful (however you define beauty) and you enjoy living with it every day. My best advice to a new collector is to go exploring. Take some time to visit museums, galleries, and, hopefully, an art fair, or even carve out an hour or two when you travel. Experiencing art firsthand is the only way to truly learn what moves you. The most meaningful collections grow out of curiosity, patience, and intuition. As your collection starts to grow, ask yourself, “What story am I telling?” |
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| | Longleaf Art Park, which Berkowitz is currently developing in Northwest Florida. Image Courtesy of Chloe Berkowitz.
UA: What does it mean to you to be a collector?
CB: Over time, the process of collecting has evolved into two journeys: my private collection and the permanent collection for Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation. My early journey as a collector began as a pursuit of personal enjoyment but gradually evolved into its own form of storytelling. I now view my collection as a visual autobiography in a sense, where each work captures a moment in my life, how a particular work spoke to me, and how I was responding to my environment. There is also a bit more fluidity and less constraints, collecting simply for the love of living with art.
When it comes to the collection for BCF, as the president, my curatorial role lends itself to a different level of responsibility and therefore a different set of rules. Though the practice is still rooted in storytelling, the story is focused on a different journey. The BCF storyline is one of exploration through highly conceptual works that have a deep focus on not only the creator but the process of the creation. I have tried to create a collection that evolves to connect and engage with a wide variety of audiences. The works we acquire must have the ability to spark dialogue, inspire the public, and advance our mission of presenting exceptional art in public spaces. |
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| “I really appreciate the meaningful conversations that come from engaging directly with an artist about their work. Those exchanges offer a unique and invaluable insight into their practice, offering a deeper understanding of their ideas and process. ” - CB |
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| UA: Is there an artist or artists that you discovered or acquired at Untitled Art, and do you have any highlights from the fair in Miami Beach?
CB: This year at the fair, it was especially exciting to witness the strong presence of Miami-based artists, complemented by a major showing from Fountainhead artists and alumni, one of Miami’s Artist-in-Residence programs. I have to commend Untitled Art for carving out significant space for the locals, one of my favorites being Roscoe B. Thicke III, whose work was shown by homework (Miami), a revolutionary of storytelling. |
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| To explore the collection of past essays from the Untitled Edit, please visit our website. |
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