Art Collector

Antje and Andrew Géczy

For Antje and Andrew Géczy, collecting is less hunt for the next big thing than it is a sparkling conversation driven by curiosity and anchored in a keen loyalty to place.

By Andrew Gaynor OCT 2016

Antje and Andrew Géczy live in a wonderful, light-filled 1930s house with their three children and raggedly handsome dog Duke, surrounded by an extensive array of artworks by European, American, Australian and New Zealand artists. The collection, which includes works by Richard Prince, Gillian Wearing, Brendan Huntley, Francis Upritchard, Anish Kapoor, Jess Johnson, Saskia Olde Wolbers and Marlene Dumas among many others, is informed, deeply personal and reflects the lives, passions and intelligence of its owners. It goes against trends and does not play to fashion — an approach that also precludes any desire to establish a house museum. The Géczys, whose future plans include a residency for Australians at their house in France, an hour from Bordeaux, prefer to play host to interested visitors. VAULT caught up with Antje (and Duke) to discuss all matters art on a bright spring afternoon.

What drew you to art collecting?
I was born in Germany where I first learned to be a tailor and then went to Paris where I studied high fashion with an emphasis on drawing, pattern making and construction. Following graduation, I specialised in accessories and jewellery design then worked at Chanel for many years. By comparison, Andrew grew up in the US and his mother is a painter and teacher so he was lucky to grow up surrounded by art and artists, whereas my real knowledge of art was informed by the museums in Paris and London. Andrew now works in finance. After we met in the US, we lived in both Paris and London before ... Subscribe to read this article in full

MCA Roslyn Oxley Gallery IMALENNOX STACMIACCA Melbourne