Art Collector Dylan Abruscato @dylanabruscato spoke with AucArt about his most treasured artworks, what advice to give to young collectors starting out, and his top artwork picks from AucArt.
Art Collector Dylan Abruscato @dylanabruscato spoke with AucArt about his most treasured artworks, what advice to give to young collectors starting out, and his top artwork picks from AucArt.
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started collecting art?
My name is Dylan Abruscato, and I was born and raised in New York. I currently live in Los Angeles with my wife, Sarah, and our son, and I’ve been a collector of things for as long as I can remember.
My grandparents have always shared a mutual love for collecting art. I spent a lot of time at their house as a child, so I was surrounded by colorful sculptures and prints from a very young age. I also collected everything as a kid, from Beanie Babies to baseball cards, so when my wife and I moved into our first apartment together, decorating and design became a new area of interest for us. It was then that art sparked something in me, combining the influence of my grandparents and my love for collecting.
What were the first and the latest artworks you purchased?
In 2017, I made my first art purchase by cold messaging Jordy Kerwick on Instagram. One night, my wife and I came across his page and instantly fell in love with his work. As young collectors, buying a painting can often feel intimidating, but Jordy made the process as easy as texting with a friend.
Our most recent purchase was a pastel work on paper by Sara Anstis, which is currently on view at Various Small Fires in Los Angeles
What is your most treasured artwork?
Other than our 5-month old son? 🙂 Honestly, it’s impossible to pick a favorite work. Each one represents a special time in our lives.
What advice would you give to other collectors starting out?
Whenever I get asked by friends for collecting advice, the only response I give is to collect what you love. You’ll never be happy if you’re buying a piece or collecting art for the wrong reasons. At the end of the day, we collect works that simply speak to us, and I can safely say that I love every piece that we own.
Do you collect thematically – if so please share more!?
I love bright, bold colors paired with a nostalgic narrative, so the works of artists like Szabolcs Bozó and Felix Treadwell have always really spoken to me. My wife is typically drawn to more finely detailed pieces, particularly modern takes on classic masterworks. And since we’ll never buy a piece if it doesn’t speak to both of us, the intersection of our aesthetics is really the theme of our collection and what makes it so special.
Favourite exhibition you’ve seen in the last year?
I am constantly blown away by the colored pencil works of Jean Nipon, and his solo show at M+B in Los Angeles this past spring was incredible.
Collect what you love. You’ll never be happy if you’re buying a piece or collecting art for the wrong reasons. At the end of the day, we collect works that simply speak to us, and I can safely say that I love every piece that we own.
Collect what you love. You’ll never be happy if you’re buying a piece or collecting art for the wrong reasons. At the end of the day, we collect works that simply speak to us, and I can safely say that I love every piece that we own.
Leonardo Guglielmi was born and raised in the outskirts of Venice, Italy, where he underwent classical art education. In a county known for many great artists throughout its history, that means mostly studying proportion and learning about human anatomy. Based now in Guangzhou, China, Leonardo’s work focuses primarily on the refusal of said academic art rules.
Cypher is a self-taught visual artist and emcee from New Orleans. He has been creating since the age of six, with direction from his grandmother, Rosemary, founder of the “Ya-Ya” art enrichment program. Cyph’s work exhibits a method of give, take, and sacrifice. He began his creative pursuits as a musician, and has since returned to visual art, creating art that embodies the true spirit of an endless stream of curiosity that surrounds him.
