Introducing Isobel Dennis, Collect Fair Director
Isobel Dennis
Meet Isobel Dennis, Collect Fair Director
Collect is one of the world’s most influential fairs focusing on contemporary craft and design. Collect 2023 takes place from 03 - 05 March (Previews 01 and 02 March) at Somerset House, followed by a virtual showcase on Artsy.net.
The fair presents a cohort of leading galleries from across the globe, altogether representing over 400 outstanding artists. Most of the work has been made in the last five years, with many artists creating new work for the fair. Ceramics, glass, lacquer, art jewellery, precious metalwork, textiles and fibre, wood and paper are all displayed side-by-side to create a unique opportunity for collectors and craft enthusiasts alike.
“As with anything, the more you learn, the more connected you become.”
Join us as Isobel shares her passion for crafts, the importance of supporting emerging and living artists, and her top picks for the fair.
www.collectfair.org.uk
@collectartfair
#collect2023
COLLECT at Somerset House, by Iona Wolff
With over 25 years’ experience in the private sector organising exhibitions in the cultural sector, Isobel was appointed as Fair Director for Collect in June 2018 to bring a level of commercial knowledge and expertise to the fair. Previously to this, her role involved overseeing a group of exhibitions and in particular the graduate event New Designers. She also held the interim position of Director of Audience at Design Museum overseeing the Ferrari, Alaia and LOEWE FOUNDATION exhibitions and events during this time.
With a degree from Camberwell School of Art, and the daughter of two architects, Isobel is passionate about craft, design and art and possesses a rare blend of creative industries knowledge with commercial acumen.
How did you get involved in the arts?
I grew up in a creative household and as a result, I was brought up to appreciate good design, creative practice, to look up when walking in cities, be sociable and be interested in people. My parents were very supportive of me applying for art school which is where my love of contemporary craft and design began.
Following my degree, I ran my own ceramics business for about 8 years before being introduced into the organising world of fairs when working alongside Kevin McCloud back in the late ‘90s. I got a real taste for working with other creative people in a fairs context, and have been lucky to have been surrounded by and worked with creatives all my working life.
I have always found my work highly rewarding and now as Fair Director of Collect, I continue to deepen this connection with highly talented, knowledgeable, intelligent people.
As a collector, how important is it to support emerging artists?
Emerging artists, whatever their stage in life, are exciting to discover and work with. In search for their own creative voice, they bring fresh new thinking to the work they create and push the materials they use. With artworks being made in the past five years, Collect art fair very much represents the primary market for collecting allowing for the investment in emerging artists as well as those more established.
Artworks go on form part of private and public collections and there has been an exponential growth in the secondary market for contemporary craft, ceramics being particularly strong and commanding high value prices.
What do you collect?
With a background in ceramics, my home has many coveted pieces that I have acquired and collected over time. Some from as far back as a piece given to me as a student by one of my tutors (Ewen Henderson) to purchasing a piece during lockdown by Icelandic artist Bjork Haraldsdottir from one of the galleries at Collect, Cavaliero Finn.
I also love contemporary jewellery particularly silver and brushed steel.
What are the most meaningful pieces in your collection?
They are all meaningful as each has its own story and evokes memories if I am showing them to someone else or just enjoy moving them or handling a piece.
Do you remember the first piece of art you acquired?
Whilst it was a gift, I think it would have been the bowl that Ewen Henderson gave me.
Do you have any advice to impart to someone who would like to start collecting art?
Don’t be afraid of it and don’t think you need to be an expert to collect.
Collect art fair is all about the living artist, the beautiful materials, the provenance, the handmade and the extraordinary creative mind behind a piece. If you are wanting to acquire something, let the artwork speak to you, be curious, be inquisitive and speak to the artist or gallerist where possible.
As with anything, the more you learn, the more connected you become. Contemporary craft and design is probably the most enjoyable kind of art to acquire as it has form, shape, texture, colour, scale and behaves differently depending on the environment it sits within.
Reynold Rodriguez - The Table That Dreamed...(of being light)(2021). Gypsum plaster. 203 x 101 x 101.Courtesy of the artist and Charles Burnand Gallery. Photo Herminio Rodriguez
Which designers or makers are you most looking forward to showing at Collect?
With over 400 at the fair, it is difficult to select just a few! As always, we have new artists and new galleries taking part in the fair so I am looking forward to seeing works that we have only viewed as images so far. There is always such a visceral and emotional response to the artworks when they are in front of you – they can take your breath away. They can surprise you with their scale or depth of colour and surface detail, for example.
If I were to select a few it would be:
Some of the stunning South Korean glass: Hyesook Choi and Jiyong Lee from Gallery Sklo;
French/Zimbabwean ceramicist Xanthe Somers from Galerie REVEL;
Puerto Rican artist Reynold Rodriguez from Charles Burnand Gallery; and
the British textile artist Alice Kettle from Candida Stevens Gallery.
And there are so many more….
WEALTH
Describe your relationship with money and personal finance in three words:
Healthy, respectful, grateful
How do you define wealth?
Wealth can be defined by many things from your financial privilege, your happiness, your friendships, your family and your health.
A good friend once said to me ‘money talks, wealth whispers’ and this has always stuck with me. Wealth should never be vulgar or ostentatious, it is to be used wisely and shared, for not just for the benefit of yourself but as much for others.
What did you learn about finance and money when you were growing up?
I learned to respect money and finance, that it was up to you to earn it and be very grateful if it was gifted to you. Never to take it for granted and to always appreciate the privilege it gives you.
WELLNESS
What do you do to relax?
Several things and it depends where I am.
We have a house on the Suffolk coast where I have been going since I was 10 years old, so this is the place where I truly relax. The landscape is flat which creates huge open skies and makes me feel so free. I am also in awe of the turbulence of the North Sea. I often sit staring out into its crashing waves which can be very therapeutic.
I power walk approx.10k every Saturday near to where I live in South London. Apart from it getting me out and my heart rate up, it is a time I really value to process the previous week and focus on my weekend ahead. I walk from Herne Hill, up to Crystal Palace Park, through Dulwich and Sydenham Woods and back through Dulwich Park – South London has so many green spaces.
I love my small London garden, and in the warmer months I can spend hours tending to it. I enjoy the cyclical nature of it and try to fill it with colour and variation. It is very rewarding, never fails to surprise me and is great to share with friends whilst dining outside on warm summer days and evenings.
Do you have a mentor or inspirational figure that has guided or influenced you?
I’ve been lucky to have had a few during my life and now find I can return this favour to others. Both my parents, of course were a huge positive influence on my life and I suppose I have always admired Sir John and Lady Frances Sorrell. They are both impressive people in their own right and have always been supportive.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
The people and the celebration that is Collect; the sharing of exceptional artworks; the artists behind them; the highly specialist gallerists who dedicate so much time to nurture and support their careers; the partners and sponsors whose values reflect so many of our own; and all our guests and visitors who come together to complete the celebration.
What’s next for you?
Collect is my passion for now, and anyone who knows me well, knows that I fully immerse myself in whatever I do, ensuring it becomes the best possible version of itself.
For my next move, whenever it may come, I know that I am a collaborator and an enabler and set myself high standards of delivery and professionalism. Working in the creative industries and the arts is my passion and I truly thrive on the cyclical nature of fairs and the human connections they bring. So achieving visible results, building relationships with inspiring people as well as financial results is what drives me.
What are you currently reading and listening to?
I have recently finished ‘Hamnet’ by Maggie O’Farrell, such a beautiful and tender book and the before that it was ‘Any human heart’ by William Boyd – again such a talented writer.
I really enjoy podcasts and particularly those that tell me something I didn’t know – I am very loyal to BBC Sounds. For a good listen, and often a laugh – I also listen to ‘Fortunately’ with Jane Garvey and Fi Glover.
ISOBEL’S TOP FIVE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW
