Collector Convo feat. Lom

SHI: What was the first piece of work you purchased?

LOM: Let’s see...My first piece is from Hannah Yata (back when she went by Hannah Faith Yata) called ‘Head Trauma.’

I believe I received the print in 2015 or 2016 and it has been incredible to see how much her art has developed and evolved in the past five years.

To this day, it probably has to be one of my favorites (if not my favorite) prints that I own.

SHI: Is there a particular type of art you collect, or anything that unites all of the work in your collection?

LOM: It’s funny because when I first started collecting art I kind of had one specific look that I was going for. In the beginning I was strictly interested in psychedelic and heady art, but throughout the years my taste has definitely grown in a direction that I would never have expected.

But to bring it back to the question at hand, I don’t think I would be able to categorize my collection into one specific category...It’s a little bit of a mixed bag.

SHI: What is your earliest memory of art?

LOM: Ooo...my earliest memory of art would have to be taking art class in 9th grade (my memory doesn’t go too far back haha). It probably was my first real exposure to art. I remember making a mixed media piece of the kid from The Grudge that I felt really proud of.

Now-a-days I don’t do much creating but I love to appreciate the work from other artists.

SHI: What is the main motivation behind your collecting?

LOM: Hmm…I suppose my motivation behind collecting is to spark joy.

When I see an art piece that really speaks out to me and that sparks inspiration, wonder and joy I kind of have to have it. I love looking up at my walls and being able to smile at a piece that I’m proud to own and having the same feelings of joy emerge as when I first saw it.

SHI: How do you go about choosing which pieces you buy from the artists you follow (is there a process or specific criteria that help you make a decision)?

LOM: Kind of the same answer as to the previous question. I wouldn’t say I have a specific process or criteria, but when I see a piece that speaks to me I kind of know then-and-there if I need to own it or not.

SHI: There has been a shift with art (viewing, sales, etc.) moving online in a big way (especially during the pandemic), what are your thoughts on seeing work in person vs. online?

LOM: I’ve always believed that art in person is a whole different experience than viewing it online. It’s hard to appreciate the minute, meticulous details through a screen. To see an original work and to appreciate the time, effort and emotions that were put into it I believe can only be experienced in person.

SHI: How has the pandemic shifted your view of art + even how you collect art?

LOM: I would say that the pandemic has opened up my exposure to many different artists. Actually, I started getting into a lot of short comics during the pandemic and I learned to love and appreciate the thought process and satire behind these artists.

SHI: Who is your current favorite established artist + can you tell us a little bit about how you discovered them?

LOM: My favorite established artist would definitely be James Jean. I am just always so mesmerized by his color palate and sense of fantasy. I don’t remember the exact moment that I found him, but it was years ago on Instagram and to see how big he has grown since then has been an exciting journey.

SHI: Where do you see your collection going as your knowledge + experience in the art market grows?

LOM: It’s hard to predict where my collection will go, but I can say it will continue to grow as long as I have open space on my walls (haha). I’m always excited to find new artists that inspire me and I am open to the possibilities the future holds.

SHI: How do you define good art?

LOM: I believe that “good” art is determined in the moment. When I view a piece that really resonates with me, it transports me to another world and it creates this childish sense of wonder. It redefines the rules and laws governed by this reality that we live in and makes me feel like the impossible is possible.

SHI: What is the purpose of art to you?

LOM: Art, to me, is really a gateway into something else (something greater). The creative process that artists are able to tap into and their ability to create and materialize their ideas into reality in the form of art is truly something special and something I really love and appreciate.

I guess the purpose of art for me is to be able to detach me from this reality and to be able to take me to a place of wonder and inspiration that is not bound by any rules.

SHI: Would you say that the work you collect is in some ways a representation of an inner/outer you?

LOM: Absolutely! The pieces I choose to collect have spoken to me in one way or another. They either have touched me in some way, relate to my interests or take me back to my child-like wonder. Each piece definitely relates to me on multiple levels.

SHI: Where do you go if you need an art fix?

LOM: Instagram all the way. My feed consists of probably 70%-80% of art in some way or another. It has become a bit dangerous to scroll through my IG feed because it makes me tempted to purchase more art (haha).