Inside Andreas Kapatays’ personal art collection

Andreas Kapatays is well-known on the Cypriot art scene as Managing Director of Golden Gallery by Kapatays but he is also a passionate collector. When asked if he would be willing to share his personal art collection with the readers of The Cyprus Journal of Wealth Management, he was more than happy to offer us a glimpse into his home, which radiates creativity and artistry from every corner, engulfing lucky visitors in an ocean of colours and shapes.

Custom-made outdoor metal installation, The Garden, by Alecos Fassianos

Let’s start with the most obvious question: what inspired you to start collecting art?

I discovered my passion for art at an early age. My grandfather – and, later on, my father – ran a framing business so, as a child, I had the opportunity to engage with art and artists and to cultivate a love and admiration for art. I was 16 when I bought my first painting – with my own pocket money! – from Stelios Votsis and I have been collecting art ever since, with the same strong passion.

Painting by Glyn Hughes

Painting by Stelios Votsis

Does your collection have a specific theme or focus?

No. It includes both established and emerging artists, each of whom represents a different genre and artistic style, and I have never gone after a specific theme. On the contrary, my collection is versatile and contains classic, contemporary, pop and modern art.

Le fauteuil jaune by Dimitris Mytaras (centre). Four surrounding paintings by Alecos Fassianos

How do you choose the artists and the works that you collect for your personal space?

When buying art, I consider a plethora of factors and parameters. I look at the artist’s biography, their studies and their career; I’ll see how their work responds in major auctions and where examples of it can be found – in private collections, museums and public buildings, for instance. Then I examine the provenance of a particular artwork and ensure its authenticity. In addition to all this, another important factor –perhaps the first thing I take into account – is the personal appeal that has to me.

Shirt by Pavlos Dionyssopoulos, sculpture by Valentinos Charalambous (left). The Sea and The Mirror by Costas Tsoklis (right)

Tree by Pavlos Dionyssopoulos

How do you balance between established artists and emerging talents?

There is no specific rule that says that you have to ‘balance’ between the two but, if you are approaching art as an investment class, you need to use caution as to how you allocate your budget. Most of the time, established artists are a ‘safer’ investment but, as a gallerist, I strongly believe that we ought to be promoting young talent, so I try to do that too.

Dromeas (The Runner) by Costas Varotsos

Looking at your space, it seems obvious that your whole being must have been deeply affected by the art you have chosen to surround yourself with. In what ways would you say collecting art has influenced your life and your broader perspective of things?

Art has definitely influenced my life and perspective. I grew up collecting art, investing in art, dealing in art and advising about art, so through it, I have cultivated my own authentic criteria which can apply to other aspects of my everyday life, from the way I decorate my house to how I have chosen to build and enhance my personality.

(left to right) Doves in space by Angelos Panagiotou, Meeting by Yannis Gaitis and Tavrilio by Kostis Georgiou

Painting by Alecos Fassianos and (right) Father and Son, sculpture by George Lappas

Is it correct to assume that you must have an emotional connection with each of the pieces in your collection?

Yes. Most of the art in my collection has an emotional background. If you are an art lover, you cannot easily separate emotion from art, since art has the divine ability to generate emotions by itself. Every work of art that I own carries a story that reminds me of a specific moment or circumstance, of a person, a feeling or a place.

Paintings by Andreas Charalambides

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting an art collection?

I would tell them to take things slowly: study the artist and their career; always ask for proof of an artwork’s provenance and authenticity. And, of course, you should collect art that appeals to your own aesthetic preferences – the themes, colours, styles and materials that you like.

Flowers by Thanasis Tsigkos

How do you choose where to hang or place each work of art?

I usually have an idea in advance as to where I should install an artwork but, in reality, the work itself guides me. Sometimes it’s a matter of trial and error until I find the perfect spot. Surrounding objects and other artworks are also an important factor when you’re looking for the most suitable location for a new addition to your collection.

Constructive torching by Yiannis Stylianides

Hot-air balloon by Aggelos Makrides and two paintings from the series Erotic by Stelios Votsis

Do you occasionally change or replace the items in your collection?

When you are passionate about something, you can never feel completely satisfied, so there is always room for changes and experimentation. Every now and then I might replace one work with another, just to freshen up the interior space or the outdoor scenery. It is something that both my wife, an art historian, and I enjoy, especially when we acquire a new piece!

Artworks by Theodoulos Gregoriou

(Photos by Michalis Kyprianou)

(This article first appeared in the 2024 edition of The Cyprus Journal of Wealth Management, commissioned by Eurobank Cyprus and published by IMH. Click here to view the article. Click here to view the entire magazine online.)