Renowned art collector Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian’s latest book offers an intimate look inside the homes of leading contemporary artists, revealing the personal spaces that inspire their creative work. In an exclusive interview with Monaco Life‘s Niki Borisova, she shares her motivations for creating Inside the Homes of Artists: For Art’s Sake and her broader vision for capturing the intersection between art and living spaces.

Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian, a Venezuelan art collector and author, published her latest book, Inside the Homes of Artists: For Art’s Sake, on 1st October 2024.

The publication, which took four years to complete and was released by Rizzoli New York, marks the third installment in her ongoing exploration of the art world, following For Art’s Sake: Inside the Homes of Art Dealers (2020) and Could Have, Would Have, Should Have: Inside the World of the Art Collector (2016). This most recent edition is an exploration of the private residences of some of the world’s most influential contemporary artists.

A collector’s journey

Atencio’s connection to the art world began in her childhood, where she was inspired by her uncle and aunt, both avid art enthusiasts.

“Every Sunday, visiting galleries in Venezuela was a big event for us,” she recalls. “This was long before I could afford a single piece of art.”

Despite these early limitations, her passion for art grew steadily, and at the age of 18, she acquired her first artwork—a pivotal moment in her journey as a collector.

“At that time, being part of the art collector community was quite challenging,” Atencio explains. “I was fortunate to have my uncle as a guiding hand who introduced me to that world.”

“Understanding an artist on a deeper level means understanding their soul”

The concept of exploring artists’ homes felt like a natural extension of Atencio’s previous works.

“In my second book, art dealers opened up their homes to me. They are an exceptionally private group—perhaps even more so than art collectors,” she explains. “But having been a part of the art world for so long, there was a level of trust there.”

Building on this trust, Atencio saw an opportunity to continue her series by shifting the focus to the very heart of the art world.

“What better idea than to explore the homes of the artists themselves—the true protagonists of the art world,” she notes.

In Inside the Homes of Artists, Atencio collaborates with photographer Jean-François Jaussaud to present interiors from cities including New York, Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Johannesburg. The book features exclusive insights into the lives and spaces of 20 leading contemporary artists, such as Julie Mehretu, Maurizio Cattelan, Tracey Emin and Miquel Barceló. Atencio’s text is complemented by interviews that reveal how these spaces inspire the artists’ work and serve as extensions of their creative minds.

“Understanding an artist on a deeper level means understanding their soul, and a home reveals so much about a person,” Atencio tells Monaco Life.

In the realm of contemporary art, Atencio believes it’s crucial to go beyond the surface and connect with the artist’s intentions and messages.

“In the past, when you looked at a painting, it was often an allegory, something you could interpret visually,” she says. “Today, many artists present conceptual works—ideas that aren’t always immediately clear to the eye and often require context or explanation.”

For Atencio, there’s no better way to gain this understanding than by stepping into an artist’s home, where their personal environment provides insight into their creative vision.

One artist, in particular, left a lasting impression on Atencio: Not Vital, a Swiss sculptor and conceptual artist known for his large-scale works and unique approach to art and architecture.

“I loved interviewing Not Vital,” she recalls. “We were doing the interview over Zoom, but I forgot to take off my earplugs while recording, so all I ended up with was an hour of just my voice asking questions.”

Despite this mishap, Atencio viewed it as an opportunity to immerse herself even deeper into Vital’s world.

“I had to rely on my memory to reconstruct the conversation, which really brought me back into his home and his life. It helped me truly understand him,” she says.

What intrigued Atencio even more was Vital’s unique relationship with his living spaces. Not only does he collect art, but he also collects homes.

“He told me that when he can’t sleep, he simply moves from one house to another until he finds rest. I found that so fascinating,” Atencio shares. “It was definitely one of the most amusing stories I encountered.”

Exploring contrasts

The book also brings attention to notable contrasts, such as the minimalist, sunlit atelier of Claire Tabouret and the eclectic collection displayed in the Johannesburg home of William Kentridge. Through carefully curated photographs, Jaussaud captures the dynamic between art and environment, offering an immersive visual experience that mirrors Atencio’s narrative.

One standout design for Atencio was the home of David Rodriguez Caballero, a contemporary sculptor based in Madrid and New York.

“He has a deep appreciation for mid-century furniture, and his space was stark yet minimalist,” Atencio notes. “Every single piece of furniture had a story behind it and was meticulously chosen and researched. That left a strong impression on me.”

Shaping art communities

Since founding the Tate’s Latin American Acquisition Committee in 2003, Atencio has remained deeply engaged in the global art community. She currently serves as a trustee of the Tate Americas Foundation and holds the position of president of the International Director’s Council at the Guggenheim Museum. These roles have significantly shaped her understanding of art.

“As President of the Director’s Council, I have a privileged vantage point,” she explains. “I speak with curators and see what museums are acquiring, but I don’t let these inside insights dictate my choices. I rely on my own criteria, based on my personal taste. If a piece doesn’t resonate with me, I won’t buy it.”

For Atencio, the criteria are simple: “First, I have to like the artist, and second, I have to like the work enough to want to live with it.”

Atencio is also actively involved with the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM).

Reflecting on Monaco’s evolving art scene, she observes, “The art scene in Monaco is becoming much more open. There are more events happening, and more people are joining the museum and showing interest in attending exhibitions and events.”

One notable example is Miquel Barceló, an artist featured in Inside the Homes of Artists, whom Atencio interviewed for the book. His work was on display at Villa Paloma in 2024.

A rich inner world

“Artists have such a sensitive and rich inner world, and that’s why I took on this project and this series,” she shares. “They lead such fascinating lives.”

Reflecting on the journey, she adds, “These four years went by so quickly. I really focused on the process rather than the deadline.”

Having lived in Monaco for over a decade, Atencio finds the Principality to be an ideal home.

“Monaco offered everything we wanted—security, light, the sea and friendship. We feel so privileged to live here,” she says. “I really flourish here.”

As for the future, Atencio hints at another book to come.

“First, I need to rest, then I’ll start rolling out the next project,” she reveals, teasing that it will be a continuation of exploring creativity.

Inside the Homes of Artists: For Art’s Sake is now available for purchase online, with plans for Monaco distribution currently underway. For more information, click here.

 

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Main photo credit: Jean-François Jaussaud