Nick Skipp was a collector before he launched his own business.
1 How did you get your start?
I had always been a collector on a modest budget ever since I started working in the art industry behind the scenes in the late 1990s after art school. I had various roles for the next 20 years in Contemporary art galleries in London and also for major private collectors internationally.
Over this time I kept collecting some things, sold a few on, and I managed to pick up enough knowledge to think of exhibiting and selling the kind of work I have a passion for, as well as collecting it in my own little way.
I started Nick Skipp Fine Art in 2022 and The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair will be my first in London!
Trevor Bell (1930-2017, British), Gust, 2010, oil on panel, 20in x 3ft 8in (50.5cm x 1.1m), priced £3500 at Nick Skipp Fine Art.
2 What is one great discovery you’ve made?
In the late 2000s I found an exquisite little Philip Guston ink drawing from 1954 at an Amsterdam flea market looking lost and very sorry for itself. I rescued it from the trader and following a little TLC and some thorough research I found it a good home in a British collection. I often wish I had the ability to keep it for myself as it was rather beautiful and from an important period in Guston’s career.
3 What is a holy grail in your area - something you would love to get your hands on?
Would have to be two. From the modern era, one of the unfinished canvases from Mondrian’s New York studio.
From antiquity, anything by the Greek potter and painter Nearchos (active 570-555BCE).
4 Who is someone you admire?
I had the pleasure to work for many years with dealer Aroldo Zevi. His erudition, style, knowledge and kindness made a great impression on me. When I was a young man in my 20s starting out in the art world he gave me an education not only in the importance of research, depth of knowledge, integrity, but also how to live with art with style! He was always very generous to me, and as someone who went to art school and once had ambitions of a career as painter, I will always feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work so closely with and learn from artworks and antiquities of such quality and importance.
5 Real ale or espresso martini?
Negroni, please.
