For young art collector, selling an Amorsolo or a Hidalgo is a ‘liberating experience’

To an established art collector like Patrick Reyno, a work of art “should take your breath away.”

“You know,” he says, “it’s a very intuitive experience. I like art that pushes the envelope. Of course, the composition and maybe the subject matter also. But basically it has to be striking, beautiful and original at the same time.”

What does he think about certain masters who just stick to a certain, safe and successful style?

“There’s something good and bad about that,” he declares. “I think that, in Western and European art, they value art that is new, original. But in Asian art we have a tradition of valuing art that is similar, that approximates art that preceded it, that looks like the older masters.”

He adds: “This is true with Chinese art or Asian art in general. So you do not always have to do something that is a novelty, but you can actually create art that is inspired by the old masters.”

Difficulties involved

What are the difficulties involved in maintaining an extensive art collection?

Reyno, who studied art in New York, London and Paris, and went to all the major museums there, opines that “maintaining a collection is a full-time job because you have to make sure everything is in good condition.”

There is the weather to worry about, the humidity. He has people whose job is to make sure the collection is in good condition. Restoration of an artwork is “perennial,” and you have to look for a restorer who is familiar with the medium, and the technique of the painter, and who has the time, because they are supposed to be much in demand.

Reyno concludes: “It’s very challenging to actually maintain a good collection and make sure it’s all in good condition, all accounted for.”

From art collecting, he ventured, with the  support of his parents, into the gallery business. And he has one called Now Gallery on Chino Roces Extension, Makati City.

Less attached

“I am primarily an art collector,” Reyno notes. “But over time, you know, after I opened my gallery, I became less attached to art pieces. When you already have an art gallery, so much art passes through your hands. You become less attached, then letting go doesn’t seem to be as difficult as it used to be.”

In fact, it is “a liberating experience” for this art lover. And that is why he decided to hold an auction (“a mechanism for all the collectors”) at his gallery, for the first time, on Aug. 31.

“We have a very wide selection of art that we are offering to the public, to our clients,” Reyno says. “We have a Hidalgo from the collection of Luis Araneta, a beautiful landscape, and some rare Amorsolos. Not only do we have the old masters but we have contemporary favorites like Ronald Ventura. We have a very large Ventura, a highlight of the auction. He did this in the early part of his career and you can see how his style was evolving during this period.”

An Ang Kiukok and a Lee Aguinaldo are among those to be auctioned off.

Does he have a BenCab?

“Yes, we have an interesting BenCab,” says Reyno. “It is a portrait of a punk rocker done when he was in London in the 1980s, I think.”

The pieces in his personal collection, however, are not included in the auction. Those are not for sale. He remains “attached” to these works.

Now Gallery tel. no. 5550683; visit  http.nowauctions.net/terms-conditions.php.