Meet Jens-Peter Brask

Art curator, author and collector

Meet Jens-Peter Brask - illustration 1

Curator Jens-Peter Brask with several artworks ©️Oliver Knauer

Art lover, independent curator, collector and author Jens-Peter Brask from Denmark has enjoyed a rich career in art, from writing several books of his curations to presenting and curating numerous exhibitions. Find out where his passion for art began, his favorite artists and his tips for starting your own art collection...

1. Hello Jens-Peter! Could you tell us a little bit more about how your love of art began?  

I have always been drawn to art, beginning with my big fascination with graffiti that started when I was a young boy. My interest in graffiti was slowly replaced by art over the years and in 1993 I purchased my first artwork by Danish artist Michael Kvium. From there my interest only grew. The transition was so natural for me, and I was especially fond of artists who managed to create works that captured the raw aesthetic from the urban environment. Artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Banksy were some of my heroes, and their works made me aware of art in a way I had never felt about anything else before. For many years I was a restaurateur and art was merely a hobby on the side, but as my collection grew bigger my main interest became art, and I decided to sell my restaurant and start working in art full time. This was five years ago and I am so happy that I made that decision. It brings me so much joy to be able to concentrate fully on art, and being able to work with so many talented artists, museums and galleries. 

Meet Jens-Peter Brask - illustration 1
Meet Jens-Peter Brask - illustration 1

Left: DabsMyla mural in Denmark curated Jens-Peter Brask ©Henrik Haven / Right: Exhibition “Brask Collection Meets Willumsen" curated by Jens-Peter Brask ©David Stjernholm

2. As an art collector, what pieces can be found in your home? Also which works do you dream of owning? 

The works hanging in my home are often works that have a special place in my heart. At the moment the selection is a mixture of paintings, sculptures, and design objects. Right now there are works by Eddie Martinez, Robert Nava, Nicholas Koshkosh, John Kørner and Michael Kvium among others. All the works have a different context or meaning to me, but what they have in common is that they all inspire me. The ultimate dream for me would be to own a work by Keith Haring, he is my ultimate hero. 

3. Name three artists that you think everyone should keep an eye on at the moment, and why?

There are so many talented artists but I would like to highlight Nicholas Koshkosh, Bjørn Magnussen, and Emily Gernild. 

Nicholas Koshkosh is a Ukrainian-born artist who is now living and working in Moscow, and whom I met on a trip to Moscow in 2017. During my trip, I visited Koshkosh in his studio, and I was immediately drawn by his aesthetic universe. His works are in my opinion so interesting as they combine so many different genres and Western and Eastern symbolism. His talent is so clear, and I am looking forward to following him and his career for many years to come. 

Bjørn Magnussen is a Danish artist who has caught my attention. His works are semi-abstract made with violent brushstrokes, and often portraying distorted human figures inspired by folk art. Magnussen is a unique talent that has created his own original aesthetic at a young age, and I look forward to following him and his work. 

Emily Gernild is a Danish artist who is very interesting to watch. Her works are so beautifully composed, and she has a unique sense for shape and colors that she masters in her works. She is taking the still life genre to a new level, and she has proven that she is indeed an artist that is interesting to follow. 

4. What is the exhibition or project you have curated of which you are the proudest? 

It's difficult to name one. I have been so lucky to be involved in so many wonderful projects with galleries, museums, design collaborations, public art projects, and much more. I think what I am most proud of is continuing to present art in the public sphere and being able to curate murals. This is an important matter in my work as a curator because I wish to integrate art into daily life and break down the barriers and understanding of art as an experience that is limited to art museums or galleries. Art is everywhere, and it is wonderful to be able to integrate it into so many people's everyday lives. 

Meet Jens-Peter Brask - illustration 1
Meet Jens-Peter Brask - illustration 1

Left: Jens-Peter Brask signing his book “Brask Studio Visits Vol II" ©Ole Brask / Right: Mikael B mural in Denmark curated by Jens-Peter Brask ©Henrik Haven

5. Where are your favorite artistic venues or cultural centers anywhere in the world? 

There are so many great places to see and visit, but some of my absolute favorite places are: The Broad in L.A, Museo Jumex in Mexico, Legion of Honor in San Francisco, and Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark.

6. Where do you begin when choosing art for a space? 

I start with an idea or vision to display one or more artworks. As soon as the idea is formed a dialogue can be started with the artist, and together we consider the architectural building in which we are creating something as well as the atmosphere of the room. For me, it is important to be visionary and try to find new and interesting ways to present artworks, and always make sure to create an interplay between the art and its architectural surroundings. 

7. Finally, what would be your best advice for someone looking to begin a contemporary art collection? 

Always buy from the heart! I have always sought to avoid the hype and market speculations. For me, it is not interesting to buy something because everyone else is doing it. My advice would be that you take your time to investigate the market, visit as many galleries and museums as you can and see what is out there. By doing it this way you will also have much more fun and gain unique experiences that forever will be attached to the different artworks in your collection. This has been my way of doing it, and I am so grateful for the many people I have met on this path. Also, I think it is much more interesting to find new young talents and support them at the beginning of their career. This is something I have learned from collector Hubert Neumann who stresses the importance of investing in young artists. It is not interesting to only acquire works by the most established artists, but it is in my opinion much more interesting to find the new talent and support them and their career. 



Selección de obras de arte

Edición, Euro liquidated, Zevs

Euro liquidated

Zevs

Edición - 107 x 66 cm

Vendida

Edición, Seated figure, Francis Bacon

Seated figure

Francis Bacon

Edición - 101.5 x 71 cm

28.560 US$

Edición, Untitled (SF-267), Sam Francis

Untitled (SF-267)

Sam Francis

Edición - 107 x 76 cm

Vendida

Edición, Fighting For Love, Tracey Emin

Fighting For Love

Tracey Emin

Edición - 29.7 x 21 cm

Vendida

Edición, L'anarchiste, Blek Le Rat

L'anarchiste

Blek Le Rat

Edición - 23 x 31 cm

3.727 US$

Edición, Andy Warhol | Limited Edition, Ai Weiwei

Andy Warhol | Limited Edition

Ai Weiwei

Edición - 37.7 x 30.5 x 6 cm

Vendida

Pintura, Finding the flo.., JonOne

Finding the flo..

JonOne

Pintura - 120 x 122 x 3 cm

Vendida

Edición, Portrait de femme, Henri Matisse

Portrait de femme

Henri Matisse

Edición - 35 x 26 x 0.2 cm

Vendida

Pintura, Honte bue, Pierre Alechinsky

Honte bue

Pierre Alechinsky

Pintura - 27 x 20.5 x 0.1 cm

Vendida

Edición, The World, David Shrigley

The World

David Shrigley

Edición - 76 x 56 x 0.1 cm

7.243 US$

Edición, Bain de soleil, Corneille

Bain de soleil

Corneille

Edición - 78 x 78 x 0.1 cm

1.355 US$

Edición, We Are The Square Jocular Clan (5), Takashi Murakami

We Are The Square Jocular Clan (5)

Takashi Murakami

Edición - 47.5 x 47.3 cm

1.152 US$

Edición, JR au Palais de Tokyo, 28 Août 2020, 16H12, Paris, France, 2020, JR

JR au Palais de Tokyo, 28 Août 2020, 16H12, Paris, France, 2020

JR

Edición - 100 x 70 cm

Vendida

Edición, Lithographe II, Joan Miró

Lithographe II

Joan Miró

Edición - 36 x 55 cm

Vendida