We’re thinking about self-publishing a pocket dictionary just so we can put a pic of Pamela and David Hornik under an entry for “art enthusiast.” The Palo Alto power couple defines passionate engagement and purposeful art patronage. Over the last dozen or so years, they’ve curated an exceptional personal collection of contemporary figurative art. The work they select spans a range of media, with pieces from prominent artists like Chuck Close and Joan Brown, and rising stars like Jordan Casteel and Wesaam Al-Badry. Much of it adorns the walls of their residence, where they’re inclined to invite fellow art lovers to soak up the scenery. Other pieces they loan or gift to places like Stanford University’s Cantor Arts Center, where Pamela also volunteers.
Of course The Horniks’ art collection itself is aspirational, but it’s their approach to art collecting that’s really admirable. For starters, they devote their free time to everything art. They frequent all manner of art fairs. They’re regular visitors at the Bay Area’s various art institutions. They’re open studio sleuths, and vocal advocates for emerging artists (peep Pamela’s Instagram for a taste). They don’t think of their collection as an investment, but rather an intimate, ever-evolving celebration of artworks they truly love. And locking down that love is a team effort. The two are committed to only acquiring pieces they’re both over-the-moon about. That’s what led them to figurative work—a genre they share a real affinity for. In a way, their collection is a deeply creative, complex manifestation of their partnership as a pair, stemming from a mutual appreciation for the joy of art. Just read our new 5+5 featuring the couple and peruse their 20x200 art picks, and you’ll see that unadulterated joy jumping out at you. — Team 20x200
5 Perfect Picks
1) Lena Dunham Upside Down by Helena WurzelWhen we first started collecting figurative art, our paintings often would have faceless people. It was, frankly, a little creepy. And our children didn't love it. But the paintings bordered on abstract and we found that combination of abstraction and figuration to be super compelling. We got over it. Now most of our figures actually have faces. This gorgeous, vibrant painting has no face, but it is anything but an abstraction. And we love it. Add the nod to the fashion world and to Lena Dunham (one of my son's creative heroes) and we're all in.
2) Trayvon Martin + We Are All Trayvon Martin (pair) by Rudy Shepherd
It wasn't intentional at first—maybe subconscious, but not intentional. Nonetheless, over time we have increasingly collected art that focuses on social justice. Great art has the power to make you think and feel and reflect. And it is work like this gorgeous piece by Rudy Shepherd that does just that.
3) Yoga by William Wegman
Since adopting our slightly mis-proportioned seven pound malti-chi, Teddy, Pamela has become vaguely fanatical about rescue dogs. Despite his best efforts, David has lost the battle over the definition of "figurative art"—in the Hornik house, it now clearly includes the bodies of dogs. So much dog art! We have dogs by Raymond Petibone and Jordan Casteel and Elizabeth Payton and, of course, William Wegman. If we could surreptitiously excavate Wegman's amazing mosaics in the NY Subway, our collection would be complete. That is somewhat impractical. But this one is pretty darn great too.
4) Ideal Bookshelf 505: Fashion by Jane Mount
Sitting next to our bed are stacks and stacks of books. No bookshelves. Just stacks of books. Some of them are books about art. Some of them are books about history. But a whole lot of them are books about fashion. And if you were to place them side by side, this is pretty much what it would look like.
5) LWA 10.17 by Kennedy Prints
We couldn't agree more. Living with art is GREAT for you. Years ago we had the good fortune to receive a fantastic tote back from 20X200 with these very words on it. It was our go to bag for the farmers market. This sentiment has proven apropos in this time of Covid—our art has kept us happy and engaged and excited and sane. Thank you, art.
5 Q's + 5 A's
1) What's your favorite museum?
Stanford's Cantor Arts Center where Pamela has volunteered for the last dozen years.
2) What's your most coveted coffee table book?
For a year, Chantal Joffe painted a self portrait a day. The paintings are amazing. Some days Joffe was more generous in her depictions of herself. Other days she had a pretty dark view of the woman she was looking at in the mirror. But each portrait was powerfully emotive. Victoria Miro produced a small book of those portraits called The Front of my Face. It is spectacular.
3) Do you prefer a single statement piece or a salon wall?
Single statement piece for sure.
4) If you could be reincarnated as an artist, who would you want to be?
David: I'd be David Hockney, but he's not dead.
Pamela: I think Lavinia Fontana was a bad ass—her husband was her agent and primary care giver for her 11 children while Fontana made great art.
5) How would you describe your evolution as art collectors? For instance, what got you started, and how has your experience and approach changed over the years?
It never struck us that you could buy art. We loved art. But the idea of buying art, particularly from art galleries, was really daunting. Our first art purchases were from small local galleries and directly from the artists at open studio events. Over the years we grew increasingly comfortable with the art world and became increasingly fanatical about art. These days (well, before Covid) we visit museums and galleries whenever and wherever possible. And we (ok, Pamela) spend innumerable hours discovering exciting new artists on Instagram. We have never collected art as an investment. We just buy art we love. Just this week we purchased a wonderful piece directly from a talented college freshman, a couple of paintings by an art student in Kansas City from his Kansas City gallery, and a spectacular work by a Brooklyn-based painter from a gallery in London. Who knows what next week will bring.
The 411 on Pamela + David Hornik
Pamela and David Hornik are art fanatics who live in Palo Alto, California with their art-loving dog Teddy and, occasionally, their four children. They have been collecting contemporary figurative art for the last dozen or so years. It is time for an art intervention.
Site: augustcap.com Instagram: @pamelahornik Twitter: @davidhornik
