A longtime entertainment-industry government, Hassan Smith can be a passionate collector and a daily at exhibitions in his hometown of Atlanta, in addition to in Los Angeles and past. As well as to working as a supervisor for the singer John Legend, he serves on the advisory board for the Atlanta Artwork Honest. His private assortment contains works by many giants of Black post-war and up to date artwork—from Frank Bowling, Sam Gilliam, Gordon Parks and Richard Mayhew to Rashid Johnson, Hank Willis Thomas, Deborah Roberts and Patrick Eugène. Smith is a devotee of artwork historical past as effectively; he counts works by Pablo Picasso and Rembrandt in his assortment. As he ready for Frieze Los Angeles, Smith advised The Artwork Newspaper about his most up-to-date acquisition, his favorite place to eat on the town and his picks for the upcoming Oscars.
The Artwork Newspaper: What are you trying ahead to throughout Frieze Los Angeles this yr?
Hassan Smith: I’m trying ahead to fellowshipping with fellow artwork fanatics and seeing bold work from galleries all over the world. I’m particularly excited for the Collector X Dinner, which at all times brings collectively a number of the most considerate voices within the artwork and enterprise neighborhood.
The place do you wish to eat and drink close to Santa Monica?
Considered one of my favorite eating experiences throughout Frieze Los Angeles is at Somerville, a Black-owned supper membership that honours its South Central roots.
Within the Kind Of (2023), by the Los Angeles-based artist Mario Joyce, is a current addition to Smith’s assortment Walker Bankson
What was the primary work you ever purchased?
The primary substantial works I introduced into my assortment had been images by Gordon Parks in 2010. That acquisition actually formed how I take into consideration storytelling in artwork.
What was the newest work you got?
The latest work I acquired was a large-scale portray by Patrick Eugène. He’s an artist who was just lately chosen by Dior for the Girl Artwork bag collaboration, and his work is extremely transcendent.
How shortly do you resolve to purchase a murals?
I are inclined to resolve shortly. I rely closely on intuition, supported by conversations inside my community, to information me in direction of choices that really feel each intuitive and knowledgeable.
Untitled (2024) by Esther Mahlangu; in 2024, Smith co-curated an exhibition of the South African artist’s work at ZuCot Gallery in his hometown of Atlanta Walker Bankson
What do you remorse not shopping for once you had the prospect?
I’ve just a few regrets about not buying works earlier on! Significantly by Titus Kaphar, Amy Sherald and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye—artists whose practices have solely grown extra resonant over time.
In the event you may have any work from any museum on the planet, what would it not be?
It will be a large-scale portray by Kerry James Marshall from the San Francisco Museum of Fashionable Artwork. His work operates on each a monumental and deeply intimate degree.
Who do you hope will win on the Oscars this yr?
I’m rooting for Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler! I’m excited to see their continued affect recognised on a worldwide stage.
