Tastes for Art: Why Collect?

Legendary art dealer, the late Ray Hughes is noted for advising young gallerists that “no one buys a green painting" and "no one buys a painting before midday". Canberra collectors Karina Harris and Neil Hobbs have broken both these rules. Karina and Neil appreciate art for art’s sake. The Harris Hobbs collection of art has been cultivated with love, passion, and a sense of community.

Join in a discussion facilitated by independent art historian and curator Deborah Clark as she talks with Contour 556 co-founders and collectors Karina Harris and Neil Hobbs about why they collect art, living with art, brushes with tastes, and what being collectors says about their personalities. Deborah shapes a lively conversation with Karina and Neil around the appeal of art and collecting, from artists to galleries and museums to public places and spaces, with both emerging as compelling subject matter in contemporary theatre and cinema.  

A free pre-show event. But RSVPs are essential

RSVP with your name and phone number for Tastes for Art at RSVP@thestreet.org.au 

Deborah Clark is an independent art historian who has worked as a curator, editor, writer and teacher, and been an active member of the Canberra arts community for 30 years. Most recently she was Senior Curator of Visual Arts at the Canberra Museum and Gallery from 2007-18, where she curated a number of major exhibitions including Elioth Gruner: the texture of light (2014), and Michael Taylor: a survey 1963-2016 (2016). She is currently Curatorial Adviser to the Forest Sculpture Gallery, National Arboretum Canberra.
 

Karina Harris and Neil Hobbs are landscape architects and directors of the Canberra based landscape architectural firm Harris Hobbs Landscapes. In their practice, they integrate art into the public realm, through memorial design, commissioned works, artwork installation, and collaborating with temporary events in the art and design field. They co-founded Contour 556, Canberra’ public art festival, with its fourth edition in 2022 now known as Canberra Art Biennial. Karina and Neil appreciate art for art’s sake. The Harris Hobbs collection of art has been cultivated with love, passion, and a sense of community