Living with Art // Evelyn Hall
In our new series, we offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the homes of art collectors across Perth and how they live with art—transforming their spaces into vibrant galleries brimming with the work of Western Australian artists. Our first interview is with Evelyn Hall, a long-time support and friend of Art Collective WA and a member of the Collector's Club.
Where does your interest in art stem from?
From the time I was a child, really. My grandmother’s house looked somewhat like this. And we had artists in the family, there’s some portraits in the hallway that are all by my Great-great-great-grandmother. She painted portraits of people like the first president of Stanford. She was married to an academic and it was around the turn of the century - late 1800s, early 1900s. She did a summer residency at Randolph Hearst’s [the newspaper baron] castle along the coast and painted all the family there. I think if you're surrounded by art you develop an appreciation for it.
What do you love about collecting art?
It just enriches the home in so many ways. I enjoy being in my home because of my artwork. It absolutely stimulates me. I’m always looking at them, seeing different things, appreciating the skill that’s gone into them and admiring the creativity that just continues to give. I like being in a creative space, it’s an energetic thing.
"It just enriches the home in so many ways. I enjoy being in my home because of my artwork. It absolutely stimulates me..."
Artworks from left (banner): Minaxi May and Helen Smith. Artworks clockwise from top left (grid): Trevor Vickers, Olga Cironis, Vanessa Russ, Penny Coss, Jon Tarry. Photography by Rob Frith / Acorn Photo.
Could you tell me about some of your favourite works that you’ve collected from Art Collective WA?
I really like my paintings by Trevor Vickers. I find they just sit so quietly confident. I just can’t fault them, no matter where I put them in the house, they find a spot and they own it. My Olga Cironis work makes me laugh. It was a birthday present to myself — I really appreciate her sense of humour and her view of feminism.
I really enjoy my Jon Tarry. He does a lot with airports and runways, so the sculpture I have on my back patio is the exact dimensions of a luggage carrier that goes on an airplane. To me it represents wanderlust or displacement, you can look at it either way. The Helen Smith is another wonderful piece, it’s really striking when you come in the front door and Minaxi [May]'s flamingo is gorgeous. I’ve also long been a fan of Penny Coss, and I’ve got one of her really early works.
What is it about Art Collective WA that keeps you coming back?
I like that they’re all local artists. My collection is primarily Western Australian and I’m proud of that. It’s important because if we don’t buy it, who will? You need to support artists where you’re from and the Collective is clearly on the same page with that. I also love the diversity of artists and artworks. Some galleries have a really strong aesthetic in one direction and there’s something to be said for that… but it’s a bit like reading the same book all the time. We go to bookclub to get exposed to other ideas and styles you wouldn’t normally go for, and then you realise you quite like it. I think for me there has been a number of artists at Art Collective where I initially didn’t think they were my style but I've come to develop an appreciation for them.
"I encourage people to get to know their gallerists. So they can understand your taste and what you like, and keep you in mind for new works that come in. It adds so much more depth to the process of art buying"
Artworks (from left): Trevor Vickers and Jeremy Kirwan-Ward. Photography by Rob Frith / Acorn Photo.
What advice do you have for someone who is looking to start or build their art collection?
Well, Trevor Vickers said something which I’ve always kept in the back of my mind, which is 'buy museum quality art, it’s just not that much more'. Which is so true. It’s more of an investment but it will last the test of time. Also, if you’re new to collecting, just go look around, visit galleries and figure out what turns you on. It’s the best way to develop your taste. And I think it’s a good idea to buy the biggest work you can afford from the artist you like. Sometimes, you can find yourself surrounded by too many small works and it’s the bigger pieces that have the most impact in your home.
And I always ask my gallerist to put works on laybuy. They’re usually quite amenable to it and it means you can secure works you love without paying upfront. Finally, I encourage people to get to know their gallerists. So they can understand your taste and what you like, and keep you in mind for new works that come in. It adds so much more depth to the process of art buying.