Intentional collecting: exploring intuitive curations by Dawn Zhu of Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery

What does “sustainable collecting” look like in practice culturally, financially and ethically?

Seek out and build relationships with art galleries, advisors and individual artists who integrate environmentally and socially responsible methods into their core working practices. As an international gallery, we are members of the Gallery Climate Coalition and have made a commitment to set targets and take direct actions to implement environmentally responsible best practices across our activities. Beyond environmental concerns, this also extends to supporting those who uphold and promote ethical practices and contribute positively to the communities in which they operate.

How should collectors balance supporting artists from their home country with acquiring international works, particularly in an increasingly globalised art market?

Collecting art is inherently a personal journey and it’s a natural inclination for collectors to gravitate toward works that resonate with their own life experience and shared heritage. That said, within the globalised art market there’s been a significant and positive shift in the growing prominence of artists whose works reflect a globalised perspective – for example artists from the Asian diaspora. I think of artists we represent such as Zadie Xa and Mandy El-Sayegh, whose works often explore themes of identity, migration and the intersection of different cultures. Local and global has become less of a distinction.

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From your perspective, why is geographic and cultural diversity within a collection important beyond optics or trend alignment?

Collections can sometimes be multi-generational, and so it’s important that they reflect different as well as shared tastes and experiences. It comes back to the question of longevity and building a collection that will remain meaningful for years to come.

In what ways do local artists anchor a collection emotionally, while international artists contextualise it globally?

Local artists speak closely to shared memories and experience. International artists, meanwhile, can position a collection within a wider cultural and intellectual framework. They connect it to global movements, ideas and art historical narratives.

What metrics, formal or informal, do experienced collectors use to evaluate the health and direction of their collection over time?

Informally, ask yourself whether it still speaks to your taste. Does it have the same emotional impact? It’s natural for tastes to evolve, but if carefully chosen, each piece should continue to be a reflection of your personal journey.

How do institutional validation, curatorial narratives and museum engagement factor into long-term value creation?

Institutional recognition, whether through exhibitions with defined curatorial narratives, acquisitions or catalogues, serves to place an artist within a wider intellectual and historical framework. This validation intensifies critical engagement and reinforces the artist’s legacy.

How do motivations for collecting, personal pleasure, cultural responsibility, financial appreciation, evolve as a collection matures?

These are questions I often ask new collectors to understand what motivates them. As a collection matures and they grow in confidence with what they are buying, people tend to think less about financial appreciation because they trust their eye. In recent years, there’s been a shift towards building collections that champion underrepresented artists, driven by a desire to actively support and give visibility to artists who have historically been marginalised. These collections are not just exercises in acquisition but are deeply considered curatorial projects aiming to use the building of a collection as a tool for social and cultural change.

Is it possible for a collection to be both deeply personal and strategically constructed, or must one inevitably dominate?

Definitely. A collection built with intention should balance these factors equally. The most compelling and enduring collections are those that are constructed with this dual consideration, creating a cohesive dialogue that extends beyond each work.

Finally, what advice would you give collectors seeking not just to own art, but to participate meaningfully in the ecosystems that sustain artists, galleries and institutions?

Collectors can meaningfully share their passion by supporting institutions and not-for-profits that, in turn, sustain and support artists. While not everyone has the desire or resources to build a private museum, donating or lending to shows at museums and galleries is very meaningful. This practice not only provides the public with access to otherwise private works, thereby enriching the cultural landscape, but also contributes to scholarly research, bolsters the artist's reputation, and strengthens a collector’s relationship with the art world. 

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