Art News
Not everyone can pinpoint the exact moment art changed their life. For Assistant Curator Audrey Wolfe, it was a high school art history class that set her on a path toward two degrees and, eventually, Saatchi Art. She now works to connect living artists with collectors around the world and, in the process, create their own havens through art. We caught up with Audrey to hear how that journey unfolded, what her days actually look like as a curator, and why she’ll never stop making a case for the art above your doorway.
How did you become involved in the art world, and what
I’m a very visual person, and have always had strong aesthetic preferences. My high school Art History class showed me that history could be beautiful instead of boring, and my mind processed the information around the images infinitely better than facts from a page. I eventually earned my BA and MA in Art History and knew I wanted to do something in the curatorial world. Luckily, I found Saatchi Art, where I’m able to connect living artists with passionate collectors across the globe. While I love the curatorial side of my job, it’s even more rewarding to help collectors grow their personal collections while helping artists find loving homes for their work.
What advice would you give to someone buying their first piece of art?
I think it’s best to start small with a piece that speaks to you. I find that a lot of first-time collectors are searching for a large piece to hang in their living room or bedroom, but are often stumped by the volume of options available to them if they haven’t had time to nail down their style or what they appreciate in an artwork. Each piece you add to your collection builds upon the narrative of your space, so starting with a smaller work that really “gets” you is a great way to build your confidence as a collector before committing to larger anchor pieces!
What’s currently hanging in your own home, and why did you choose it?
My newest addition is an embossed and painted leather piece by a local artist in Asheville. It’s a small work titled Listen to the Dead Kennedys that depicts one of the band’s shows, complete with a rowdy crowd. As someone who spends a lot of time going to shows and had a big punk phase in college, the combination of the material and subject work makes this a really fun, personal piece. It’s something I can walk past and be energized by, as well as a great conversation piece.
How do you think art enriches our daily lives?
As a person who deeply values beauty and is constantly improving my space, I find that art beautifies my space, adds personality, and provokes thought. Seeing the light hit one of my favorite paintings in the morning will never get old. My art collection makes my space feel personal to me, not generic, and offers me a chance to be more mindful throughout the day, which is essential for slowing down and recentering. All of this makes my home feel like a haven and a space I’m proud to be in.
What does a typical day look like for you at Saatchi Art?
My day is a combination of working directly with collectors to help them collect artwork they love and curating artworks from our artists. For our collectors, I’m usually putting together a collection of recommendations for their space, helping them negotiate pricing, or facilitating a custom artwork commission. I also coordinate the curatorial side of our seasonal campaigns, create themed collections for the website, and conduct our monthly One to Watch interviews. A big part of our curatorial work is going through all the new artworks uploaded to the website each day to get a pulse on what our artists are doing and to be sure we’re always promoting new pieces to our collectors.
Where’s an underrated spot in the home to hang art?
Above the doorway. This is a great spot to include in your gallery wall and works especially well in small, closed rooms (like a hallway) to make the whole space feel connected by art. While I love a statement piece, this is more of a statement spot that will really enhance your space if done correctly.
What’s your approach to mixing different styles or mediums in one space?
As a very eclectic person, I struggle with balancing all my different tastes into a cohesive space! I’ve come to embrace my maximalist tendencies and abide by the mantra, “It doesn’t have to match, it just has to go.” It always helps to have a throughline of similar colors or styles, but as long as the space feels interesting and lively, I say go for it!