An individual or family collection is more than simply an amassment of items or objects; rather, it is a reflection of interests, inspiration, passion and history. Eve Black, of For Collectors International, brings that collection's story to life by producing a curated book that tells the story of the collectors featured with the items of their collection.
While catalogue services generally tend to be digital data banks and websites for which subscribers pay a monthly service, Black offers her undivided attention to one collector and collection at a time to produce a comprehensive book, which includes research into a collector's life, interviews, and a catalogue of the collection with provenance history. After many years of managing and curating a private art collection of Old Masters, and many more years working with archaeological artifacts, Black founded For Collectors International, which enables collectors to share their passion and legacy in a carefully edited volume with friends, family, museums and galleries. Her past projects have included volumes of collections ranging from Old Masters paintings to owl figurines.
Here, Barnebys talks to Eve Black about why she started her business, her favorite part of writing a collector's story, and the importance of a physical record of one's collection.
Barnebys: How did you get started and come up with the idea of writing collector's stories?
Eve Black: I have always had an enormous interest in people, from all walks of life and from all areas of achievement. My personal background is quite eclectic. After working with people as a life coach for many years, I realized that when someone loves what it is s/he is doing, they do it with passion, joy, openness – and a continuing sense of 'wonder'. I long ago learned that I have the ability to hear 'through' their words, tap into that 'wonder', capture their thoughts and feelings, and turn them into unique stories that center around the thing that makes them happiest – their collections. I enjoy being around people who love what they are doing. It is an optimistic and positive atmosphere. And if I can provide one more element of that joy by what I create for that collector, it gives me a great sense of pleasure and satisfaction.
What are the most interesting parts of a collectors' story that you seek to reveal?
The passion behind the collecting; the reason the collector chose this or that set of items to collect. What it is they love about what they are doing. It's the joy of discovery that comes through, and their attraction to their collections.
What does the final product look like?
Each book is completely different and takes on the look, style, character and appearance that best expresses the specific items of the collection and the taste of the collector. The final product is something that is designed and chosen together, between myself and the collector.
Are there any specific items or collections that you most enjoy researching and writing about?
Researching the pieces in a collection is done by experts and professionals dealing with the various items that make up the different collections: an art historian (where the collection is art), an archaeologist (where archaeological artifacts make up the collection), etc. I collate all the material given to me (photos, details, descriptions) and incorporate everything together into the story about the people that do the collecting, following lengthy discussions with the collector. What emerges is a thorough picture of the collection and the collector – as a unit – presented in one, very full, all-encompassing, volume.
What would you like potential collectors to know about you and the service you offer?
I offer collectors a new and unique way of sharing their entire collection with others – easily, effortlessly, and wherever they may be. By turning their collection into a book, not only do the individual items retain their provenance, but the collection – as a unit – takes on its own provenance. At that point, it becomes a quantifiable entity, its own 'unit' as it were, turning it into a legacy for the collector and for the future of the collection. And it refamiliarizes the collector with items from the collection that might have been forgotten. It awakens memories, thoughts, feelings. It becomes a very personal, enriching experience for the collector. I offer collectors a re-connection with that part of themselves that got the collection started in the first place.