One multimillionaire, Grant Cardone, has been collecting art for around 15 years and describes himself as a spontaneous buyer. He does not consider himself a connoisseur, but rather someone who buys art based on personal preference rather than the artist’s reputation. Cardone mentioned in an interview with CNBC that he buys art on instinct. He paid a significant amount for pieces such as an untitled piece by American graffiti artist Retna, without conducting thorough research beforehand. In his home, he displays pieces like works by American pop artist Burton Morris and American contemporary artist Kenny Scharf. Cardone uses his platform of around 17 million social media followers to occasionally give advice on art investing.
On the other hand, former investment banker Christian Levett has been collecting art for almost 30 years and has a more structured approach to acquiring art pieces. He began with old master paintings and antiquities before focusing on female abstract expressionists. Levett owns an art museum in Mougins, France, where he conducts tours of his extensive collection. His collection in Florence, Italy, is entirely dedicated to works by female artists, particularly abstract expressionists like Mary Cassatt and Dorothea Tanning. Levett often invites small groups, including students from prestigious universities, to view his collection.
In Berlin, a unique art space is home to husband and wife Christian and Karen Boros. They live in a penthouse apartment above their private collection housed in a former World War II bunker. The couple acquired the bunker in 2003 and spent years converting it into a five-floor exhibition space, with their living quarters on the sixth floor. The collection features 114 works on view, focusing on the human body in various positions. The bunker has attracted nearly 600,000 visitors since its conversion in 2008.
Grant Cardone’s spontaneous and instinctual approach to art collecting contrasts with Christian Levett’s strategic and focused method. While Cardone buys art based on personal enjoyment and fulfillment, Levett aims to support female artists and educate future art enthusiasts through public tours. Similarly, the Boros couple created a unique space in Berlin to share their private collection with the public, showcasing works that explore the human body’s relationship with technology.
In the world of multimillionaire art collectors, each individual brings a unique perspective and approach to acquiring and sharing art. Whether it’s through spontaneous purchases, strategic curation of female artists’ works, or transforming historical spaces into art galleries, these collectors contribute to the diverse and evolving art landscape. Their passion for art collecting not only enriches their lives but also allows them to inspire and educate others through their unique collections and spaces.