Mary Rozell on UBS’s art collecting strategy

Mary Rozell got here effectively outfitted to command the worlds of artwork and finance when she joined UBS in 2015 as the worldwide head of its artwork assortment—she has a regulation diploma and a grasp’s in artwork historical past. Below her stewardship, the financial institution revived its concentrate on artist commissions and, in 2019, opened a public gallery at its headquarters in Manhattan. Focusing virtually solely on the first market, the gathering was fashioned because the financial institution merged with completely different establishments; at its coronary heart are the works from Swiss Financial institution Company and PaineWebber in addition to UBS. The gathering is more likely to develop additional due to its acquisition of Credit score Suisse earlier this yr.

At Artwork Basel, Rozell is presenting the ebook Reimagining: New Views, which chronicles the financial institution’s amassing over the previous seven years. And regardless of the latest turmoil within the banking world, she hopes to search out extra works that “problem us, offering insights into our world”. Right here she tells us which artists she is banking on.

The Artwork Newspaper: How rapidly do you resolve to purchase a murals?

Mary Rozell: Amassing artwork has loads to do with intuition and a willingness to take dangers. That being mentioned, our course of is taken into account and takes time. We glance, we study, and we analysis over months and generally years. Then, when a possibility arises, we are able to act in a short time if wanted.

What was the primary work you purchased?

One of many first works we acquired after I joined was Doug Aitken’s Native Land (2014), an aluminium lightbox that presents a vibrant mosaic of roadside indicators, suggesting the intrusion of promoting inside the pure panorama. This piece shares an affinity with the work of Ed Ruscha, who’s effectively represented within the assortment.

What was the final work you purchased?

We just lately acquired a textile creation by Malgorzata Mirga-Tas, which will likely be featured in our show within the UBS Lounge at Artwork Basel this yr. I used to be intrigued by the artist’s observe after I noticed her presentation within the Polish Pavilion on the Venice Biennale final yr. She is a member of the Bergitka Roma, and her vibrant work supplies private insights into her group. It additionally connects to a number of textile items we’ve acquired over the previous few years.

What do you remorse not shopping for if you had the prospect?

There are some works that we expect are unimaginable, however usually we’re unable so as to add them to the gathering as a consequence of dimension or value. Regardless of how fascinating a bit could also be, it’s necessary to acknowledge when a piece might not be inexpensive. In such situations, we might search for different extra appropriate works by the artist comparable to a piece on paper or a print. Now we have lengthy admired the work of El Anatsui, for instance, however we don’t have the area or finances to accommodate his monumental compositions. Not too long ago, we acquired a phenomenal version comprised of hand-sculpted and fashioned aluminium sections, which absolutely captures his inimitable method.

For those who might have any work from any museum on the planet, what wouldn’t it be?

The best prize for me personally could be the painted limestone bust of Nefertiti (round 1345 BC) positioned within the Neues Museum in Berlin. It’s a breathtaking murals depicting one of the well-known girls of the traditional world; the bust itself is now an icon of female magnificence. However she unquestionably belongs in a museum.

The place do you wish to eat and drink when you’re in Basel?

I have to admit that a lot of the consuming and consuming throughout the honest week is on the fly, but when the climate is sweet and I get a second, I wish to be outdoors. There’s a charming place known as Gasthof zum Goldenen Sternen within the St. Alban Rheinweg. It’s thought-about to be the oldest tavern in Basel. Basel can also be identified for its Buvetten, quaint open-air eateries that open in the summertime alongside the river. I like the informal environment and the range of individuals having fun with a espresso, drink or meal there.

What’s your least favorite factor about artwork gala’s?

Festivals might be frenetic with numerous great distractions comparable to working into colleagues and previous buddies. There’s by no means sufficient time. I’m at all times lamenting the issues and occasions I’ve missed.

The place do you go in Basel to get away from all of it?

I head to the river. Within the mornings, I get pleasure from working or strolling alongside the Rhine, and I at all times attempt to make some extent of going for a swim earlier than the week is over—rain or shine! It’s each transporting and energising to permit your self to drift down the Rhine whereas having fun with the picturesque Previous City.

What tip would you give to somebody visiting Basel for the primary time?

Exploring the Artwork Basel Parcours programme is an effective way to find town and its many nice museums and websites. We’re thrilled that our UBS Aeschenvorstadt department in Basel’s historic metropolis centre is as soon as once more included as a venue this yr. I like to recommend a go to to find the work of artist Melike Kara who has crafted a implausible set up exploring her personal identification, whereas combining Kurdish traditions and notions of dwelling.

• Mary Rozell will likely be collaborating within the panel A Physique of Work: Artists on the Intersection of Reimagining Worldviews on Thursday 15 June at 11am within the Artwork Basel Auditorium