Andrew Martin has built a collection shaped by instinct, curiosity and a growing appreciation for abstraction. From living with art in his Harry Seidler-designed Southern Highlands home to discovering artists through galleries and major institutions around the world, Andrew shares how his approach to collecting has evolved, what continues to challenge him and why supporting the arts matters to him. Andrew is Head of Asset Management at MA Financial Group, Principal Partner of Sydney Contemporary.
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Your Southern Highlands home, designed by Harry Seidler, is an extraordinary setting for art. How has living in such a significant piece of architecture influenced the way you think about collecting?
The house is a significant artwork in its own right – an artwork you can live in. Seidler designed it primarily of glass, so there is actually very little wall space for art. This has reinforced to me that less can be more, and that the art you collect and live with shouldn’t compete with the architecture or its setting. The relationship between the work, the space and the setting or landscape is just as important as the work itself.
How has your collection evolved over the years?
My collection in Sydney has become more adventuress and bold over time. In the beginning it was more conservative in my choices, whereas today I’m increasingly drawn towards strong abstraction. As I have spent more time looking at art, I’ve become more willing to be challenged by what I collect.
Are there particular moments, artists or discoveries that shifted your perspective as a collector?
Locally a growing appreciation of, and collection of, significant Australian artists such as Brett Whitely and John Olsen has heavily influenced my collection. Visits to major public galleries in global cities like New York, Paris and Madrid have also been influential by exposing me to different artists, works and styles.
On a more personal level I have three adult children who are all artists. Watching their personal creative journeys has given me a much deeper appreciation for the thought, effort and challenges involved in producing art. It has made me appreciate not only the finished work, but also the process behind it.
Do you collect with a particular philosophy in mind, or do you still rely on instinct when you encounter a work that resonates?
For me, it is largely about instinct. I’m increasingly passionate about abstract art because I find it constantly challenges me – there isn’t necessarily a single interpretation or an immediate answer. Ultimately, I think you have to respond to a work personally and trust that instinct.
Living with art is very different from seeing it in a gallery or museum. How do the works in your home continue to surprise or challenge you over time?
That is one of the great things about living with art. Unlike seeing something briefly in a gallery, at home you have an ongoing relationship with a work. I find the pieces I live with continue to reveal themselves over time – I notice different details, interpret them differently depending on the day, and sometimes see something entirely new in a work I’ve looked at hundreds of times. That ability to keep surprising you is part of what makes a great work so rewarding to live with.
Sydney Contemporary brings together established collectors and people buying their very first artwork. What advice would you give to someone just beginning their collecting journey?
My simple advice is to just get lost at the vast Carriageworks space. Wear good shoes, get your steps and do many laps of the space. The sheer number of galleries, artists and works gives anyone starting out a strong survey of contemporary art in its many forms.
Don’t feel you need to know everything or even anything – look widely, ask questions and pay attention to what you keep coming back to. Ultimately, as I said earlier, trust your instincts because collecting should start with finding something that genuinely resonates with you.
As MA Financial Group is the Principal Partner of Sydney Contemporary, what excites you most about supporting the Fair, and why do you think events like this matter for Australia’s cultural landscape?
The arts sector deserves strong corporate support, and historically I don’t think there has been enough of it in Australia. At MA Financial, we believe businesses have a role to play in contributing to the communities in which they operate, and supporting arts and culture is an important part of that.
Sydney Contemporary brings artists, galleries, collectors and the broader public together in a way that makes contemporary art accessible and exciting. As Australasia’s premier art fair, it provides an important platform for both established and emerging artists and galleries. We’re proud to support an event that contributes so much to Australia’s cultural landscape and encourages more people to engage with, appreciate and collect art.
