Natalie C.

Tell us about yourself and the art you are interested in

I'm a banking risk professional based in Sydney, Australia, and my partner is an architect so I'm often exposed to beautiful architecture and interior designs, inspirations and ideas (I definitely think my taste is better than his!). With our groups of friends, I’m lucky to be surrounded by many creative individuals that share and understand my love and passion for art.

My appreciation for handmade objects started after I picked up wheel throwing as a hobby. Soon ceramics from a variety of artists filled every corner of my first home. Over the years I've slowly expanded my love to larger scale artworks and designer furniture.

I find it hard to pinpoint the specific type of art I’m interested in, as I tend to fall in love with the least expected sometimes. My current collection predominantly consists of artworks by Australian contemporary artists, including hand built ceramic objects, bronze and porcelain sculptures, photography, and small to large scale paintings. I can be drawn to anything that I connect with at first, without the need to understand the context of the artwork or background of the artist. I’d like to think that I see beauty in all created forms and mediums and the energy that goes in behind them.

"Art Money is an enabler. I'm so glad the gallery offered Art Money as an option"

Tell us about the artworks you have purchased with Art Money

My living room features many artworks by one of my favourite artists, Sally Anderson. The paintings have all been purchased from Olsen Gallery, Sydney with Art Money. I feel a personal connection with Sally’s works in that I’m constantly uncovering something nostalgic folded into the many layers of paint; even though we have different experiences and stories.

A flower, a vase, a view from a window - they all have a charming character, but only with the layers and forms in the space behind them that make the works so special. There’s an austerity, yet a playfulness that together bring me calmness. The paintings are in good company with Vipoo Srivilasa’s delightful bronze sculpture ‘Snow Antheia’ and Eliza Gosse's 'Banjo'.

Unsurprisingly, the first artwork I purchased with Art Money was ‘Washdown, Brainwash and John Smith's Brainstorm’ from Sally Anderson’s first commercial gallery solo exhibition at Olsen Gallery in 2017. I’m so glad that the gallery offered Art Money as an option which allowed me to acquire my first large scale painting that otherwise would have been out of reach for me at the time.

One of my most recent Art Money purchases is Eliza Gosse’s ‘Banjo’ also from Olsen Gallery. Knowing Eliza’s practice predominantly features post-war and mid-century architectural buildings (which my partner loves), seeing a work of her friend’s dog Banjo made for such a unique little piece within the exhibition I had to add to my collection.
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Another artwork I recently purchased with Art Money is Caroline Zilinsky’s ‘Awaiting Agatha Gothe-Snape’ from Nanda\Hobbs, Sydney. This painting is in fact not a portrait of Australian artist, Agatha Gothe-Snape but based on the brown chair she was seated on in a Surry Hills laneway where her public artwork was displayed. Caroline bought and kept this brown chair at her home and waited for the perfect opportunity to bring it to life through her works. I’m so glad she was able to do it through this private commission piece.

Caroline uses a method of etching into the canvas - I truly feel that the beauty of this technique is something that can only be fully appreciated when viewed in the flesh.

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Why do you use Art Money?

Art Money is an enabler. It helps make dreams a reality. It has helped me during various stages of my career and will no doubt continue to help me grow my personal collection for years to come.

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Photography by Daniel Boud.