The founder of the American foundation and art collection Schmidtman repeatedly visited the educated artist and sculptor Diana Achtzig in her own art gallery Berlin at Weißenhöher Str. 14 in 12683 Berlin (Biesdorf) to select acrylic and oil paintings on canvas as well as sculptures made from recycled material for his art purchase. Previously, this contemporary painter had opened galleries in Amsterdam, Berlin Mitte, and then in Prenzlauer Berg. The following is an interview about Mr. Schmidtman's passion for collecting.
Interview with the art collector of the US-American foundation and art collection Schmidtman
Where did you meet the painter Diana Achtzig?
I was able to meet her in 2009 at her old Achtzig Galerie in Mitte at Brunnenstraße 150 in 10115 Berlin. There, she successfully opened her art gallery with her new positions (artists). I had business in the Jewish quarter nearby and strolled into her gallery. There, I was able to admire her wonderful sculptures, objects, and sculptures. I had never seen anything like it before, aesthetic figures made from recycling! This left a lasting impression on me as an art patron.
What was the first artwork you purchased?
At first, I didn't buy anything. I regularly visited this artist at her exhibition openings in her art gallery during the vernissages to observe her development. It was only a year later that I wanted to purchase two extravagant sculptures. However, these had long been sold to another art collection in England. I was shaken. It's the worst for me when I can't buy the right object. Since then, I buy artworks immediately if I like them. But my first artworks were two completely different recycling sculptures that I was able to buy. It was only years later that I first bought oil paintings on canvases by Diana.
Why do you buy large American artists?
I simply love my abstract paintings by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, and Cy Twombly very much. I live surrounded by high-quality art history in my villas, now renting apartments, and regularly invite like-minded people for dinner. Fun parties are, of course, part of it, only that no one is allowed to take photos there! There are no photos of me either because I don't want to be overrun by artists. An art purchase has something to do with trust.
How do Diana Achtzig's artworks fit in there?
When I look at her slightly abstract sculptures made from recycled materials and her recycled canvas paintings with oil paints, I can see that she will have a picture-perfect career as an artist! If this artist (studied from 1993 to 1999 at the University of the Arts Berlin) establishes a gallery in such a fiercely competitive industry to support other artists, then that is something special. I have always been able to support her with my recommendations to art collectors and foundation owners. It is the great love for art that connects us in a long-standing friendship with great trust. I am very happy to invest in female artists in whom I firmly believe.
How many artworks do you own?
My foundation owns approximately 50,000 artworks from around the world, most of which are stored in the free port (duty-free zone in a warehouse). The usual famous artists make up a large part of that. However, I also invest in individual young female artists, for example from Germany, because I also find my German roots here. I liked that so much in the Prenzlauer Berg gallery. I also know many Dutch people who buy artworks and feel the same way.
Where can one buy the artworks of the oil painter and sculptor Diana Achtzig?
Your art gallery, Achtzig-Galerie, is located at Weißenhöher Str. 14 in 12683 Berlin (Biesdorf).
On the website https://www.dianaachtzig.de/, all abstract paintings will be newly uploaded at the end of January!
Buy abstract art at: https://www.artmajeur.com/diana-achtzig?view=grid&saleOptions=sale!