Amsterdam Art Week attracts art collectors from all over the world to explore the over 50 participating galleries, project spaces, residencies, and museums. With such a diverse range of offerings, there is no doubt that you will find a piece of art that catches your eye and may even become a part of your collection. That is why we are thrilled to have Anna Kuznetsova as our third ambassador, offering a valuable perspective on Amsterdam’s contemporary art scene from the viewpoint of an art collector.
Anna Kuznetsova is a lawyer, art historian and orientalist and an art collector. Currently she runs an investment fund in Amsterdam but her true passion lies in discovering and connecting through art. Before moving to Amsterdam, she has lived in Shanghai, Beijing, London, Washington DC and Eastern Europe and has been an active participant in the art scene in all of those locations. Therefore, it is no secret that art plays a big role in her life. Art allows her to explore new ideas, perspectives, and cultures that she may not have otherwise encountered.
Having lived in various different locations in the world, Anna finds Amsterdam’s art scene to be unlike any others. She describes the city to be vibrant, outspoken, engaging, inclusive, unrestricted, and welcoming. But what makes it truly special in her opinion is that Amsterdam’s art scene is characterised by its endless potential for new players, both local and international, and its commitment to inclusivity. This welcoming atmosphere, according to her, extends not only to the participants, but also to the public, reflecting the open-minded curiosity that defines the city as a whole.
We were very curious to hear about her art collection and how it started. Anna was happy to share it with us:
“My collection is a curated selection of off-beat political art that captures the imagination and provokes thought. It all started with a chance conversation with an artist who shared a story about hanging crosswords at bus stops in the early 90s. The catch was that the clues described words that didn’t exist, making the puzzles both engaging and elusive. Despite the sub-zero temperatures of the northern location, people became so engrossed in solving the puzzles that they forgot about the cold, and even missed their buses. This conversation sparked a desire within me to own one of these intriguing crosswords, a quest that took over a decade to fulfil. However, the conversation also planted a seed of curiosity, and I began collecting art from artists whose works I engage with on an intellectual level.”
Anna is fascinated by the artist Hokusai who has been creating two-dimensional plywood cut-out life-size figures and populating various spaces with them. She owns 3 of his works in her collection. She shared an artwork by Hokusai with us that she doesn’t own yet, but revealed that it is on her list!
During Amsterdam Art Week Anna is looking forward to starting her day early at the Oude Kerk with some breakfast and coffee. She is fascinated by Oude Kerk and loves to explore their new projects with new artists and curators. She is also excited to visit Foam and the open studios at the Rijksacademie. Another one of her hidden gems in Amsterdam is No Man’s Art Gallery, located in an off-beat local neighbourhood and showcasing emerging art. This year No Man’s Art Gallery will be showcasing their exhibition at two locations!
During Amsterdam Art Week, take the opportunity to browse through the full public programme and create your own ideal day, following the footsteps of Anna Kuznetsova.
