The Remains of the Geldberg Collection
22 April – 2 July 2016
Founded twenty years ago by oil and gas magnate Daniel Geldberg and his wife Rachel Geldberg, the Geldberg collection has acquired a nearly mythical aura. With this extraordinary collection of postwar and contemporary art, the Geldbergs established themselves as one of the most prominent collecting couples in Texas. Over the course of two successful decades, they amassed an array of some 300 objects, all of which were famously installed in their private residence in Houston.
Initially they focused on historical pieces of 1960s art, and later shifted their interest to American and international contemporary work.
They are known in the art world as quiet but avid collectors who like to take risks. They were among the first collectors to purchase works by now-major figures like, Richard Prince and Felix Gonzales Torres. Their collection contained painting, photography, video, sculpture, and installation works made from 1950 to the present, with notable contributions by such artists as Cecily Brown, John Chamberlain, Francesco Clemente, Donald Judd, Martin Kippenberger, and James Turrell. To their impressive holdings, they recently added the work of younger generations such as Andreas Koch, Valentin Carron, and Ryan Trecartin, among many others.
Yarisal & Kublitz, Inside Me is Divinity, 2015
Due to a tragic incident on February 2, 2016, the entire Geldberg collection was destroyed in a large fire that took place at their Houston home. All that remains of their collection today is a small gathering of 5 works by Yarisal & Kublitz, a shared favorite of the couple.
Through the Geldberg’s close attachment to Switzerland, where they acquired a residence on the shores of lake Geneva, and their long term friendship with the Bertrand family, the Galerie Sébastien Bertrand now has the immense honor of displaying the last surviving works of this unique collection.
2014
Fired clay, labradorite stone, coins, brass
24 × 13 × 26 cm / 9,5 × 5 × 10 in.
Edition of 3 + 1 A.P.