An art collector talks about African art and gives shopping tips

In the center of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York sits a $10 million collection of African art owned by Eric Edwards, a former AT&T executive.

“My love of African history began as a child, but I didn’t start buying art until the 1970s,” says Edwards. “I had no intention of becoming an art collector. I initially brought African art with me because it gave me peace and quiet when I left my everyday life working in New York.”

But after spending greater than 40 years collecting artifacts representing 54 African countries and 4,000 years of history, Edwards realized his private collection needed a house. Edwards decided to create a house for the opening of his collection – the African Art Cultural Museum.

“The principle of the museum relies on the West African principle of Sankofa: you do not know where you are going, when you do not know where you’ve got beensays Edwards. The museum will showcase his private collection of over 2,000 works of African art, a world-class library, youth teaching programs, and a research and media center.

We caught up with Edwards to learn more about his plans for opening the museum and his tips for investing in African art.

BLACK ENTERPRISE: Where does your love for Africa come from? Who inspired you probably the most?

Edwards: When I used to be a toddler, my passion for Africa was inspired by my parents, especially my father, who was an immigrant from Barbados. At that point, on account of racism against people of African descent within the United States, he was very concerned about what we children would encounter once we entered the New York public school system. He was sure that we’d not give you the chance to experience African culture and history as he had in Barbados. So he took it upon himself to show his children all about African history and its many gifts to the world.

Tell us about the experience that inspired you to purchase your first piece of art.

I even have a passion audiophilia— high-quality sound and equipment. Many years ago, I used to be a member of two of the leading audio file associations in New York. We held meetings within the homes of varied members throughout the tri-state area. These people were doctors, engineers, scientists, psychiatrists, etc., who had a passion for music. As I visited their impressive homes, I started to note a number of African art. These people weren’t of African descent. I asked them how they acquired their works of art, and they told me about art galleries and auction houses equivalent to Sotheby’s and Christie’s. I immediately became completely immersed within the artifacts and what they represented. This passion never ended.

One day during my lunch break at AT&T, I took a walk across the SoHo neighborhood and got here across an African art gallery. I fell in love with a maternity figure from Côte d’Ivoire – a lady holding her baby (while sitting) on ​​a birthing chair. I purchased it for $300. I just put it on the desk in my office. But looking back, I had no concept that it could ignite the flame in me that might allow me to begin a set.

What do you listen to when buying works of art? Do you like a particular time period?

For over 40 years, the one thing I actually have searched for is the story behind every bit.
At the identical time, I began collecting art. I began buying books about African history. I’ve built a library as massive as my collection. I desired to know every thing I could about every bit.

The art shouldn’t be only beautiful, but additionally three-dimensional. Each piece was created for a novel purpose, equivalent to on a regular basis objects: protective or warlike, religious, funerary, or even perhaps to honor a specific origin or royal system.

Africa is a continent of secrets. Many of the pieces in my collection are secret society pieces. Societies that taught young girls the way to change into women or trained young boys to fight, the way to be men and responsibility to their ancestors.

Can you share your best advice for investing in or purchasing African art?

I strongly consider that everybody should own a bit of African art.

There is an abundance of African art, so people should find and buy art that was created in Africa. There is nothing improper with “tourist art”, however it is value knowing that it originated in Africa, even when it was made in a factory. It also needs to represent a particular cultural group or tradition.

If you might be a beginner art collector, it’s best to go on to the source. I like to recommend doing a number of research to search out artisans. I actually have purchased art from everywhere in the world and my pieces date back 4,000 years. These pieces were utilized in rituals; they got here from royal houses and were utilized in on a regular basis life. I bring works of art from prestigious auction houses, galleries and private collections all over the world. Over the years I actually have also developed relationships with royal families in Africa and purchased works directly from them. For example, after I bought one piece of art from the royal family, officials from Africa had to come back to my house and perform a ceremony for me to take possession of the artifact.

You also needs to document your purchases. Due to my technological background, I created a database containing information to document each item in my collection.