The art of sharing

For this group of mostly Brisbane-based collectors, art is more than just buying beautiful pieces – it’s the very core of their friendship

- Sarah Pickette

You might think buying art is a particularly individual pursuit. For one group of friends, however, collecting is far more satisfying when it’s done collectively. Over the past eight years they’ve been building up an enviable art collection – and thoroughly enjoying the process of buying as buddies.

The idea to start an art club began brewing in the mind of Brisbane gallery owner Ryan many years ago. His interior-designer friend Trish would come into the gallery to buy pieces for her projects and they’d discuss establishing a buying collective. “We knew it was vital to have the right combination of people if it was going to work as we hoped,” he says.

It took them a couple of years but Trish and Ryan gathered together some like-minded mates for the initiative. Four of them – Ryan, Patricia, Phil and Rav – act as a kind of ‘editorial committee’, while the others (Matt, Alison and David) are happy to be guided.

At the beginning of each year, each member puts an agreed amount of money into a kitty. Then the fun begins: the group seeks out and purchases art for the Bowerman Collection, the name the group chose for their acquisitions.