Kristýna Muller's passion for art

Kristýna’s grandfather was a painter, and so art has been part of her life since her childhood. However, this is not what inspired the passion she feels today. To the contrary, she fell in love with modern art as a teenager. “I used to go to museums and galleries, especially when I was sad. I used to go alone, and art always managed to give me exactly the kind of company I needed. I was able to establish an imaginary dialogue with modern works of art more easily than with the art of the old masters. This is what I am still interested in above all,” explains Kristýna with enthusiasm.

She purchased her first work in 2014, a plastic print by Jiří Samek that she came across at the Hošek gallery. “When I first saw it, my knees buckled a little. It was the first time I wanted to own a piece of art. I think it was already becoming clear to me that it would not be the last piece I would bring home with me,” Kristýna recalls the beginnings of her passion for collecting.

Art education provided Kristýna with a broader perspective and a much greater ability to appreciate the individual elements of a specific work as well as the setting of the work. “Without context, for example, Lucio Fontana’s art is just holes in the canvas, nothing groundbreaking from today’s perspective. The context gives it an element of wonder,” Kristýna adds.

Kristýna enjoys sharing her passion for art with others; this is something she has been able to do especially in the EduArt program. “It is very rewarding for me to talk to people involved in art, either professionally or as a hobby, as often and as long as I can – and longer! Also and especially with young collectors like me, who often have dilemmas similar to my own, are interested in answers to similar questions, and collect works to take home and not to put in depositories - i.e. on a similar scale. This is all very valuable to me and I can’t imagine where else I could meet such a community of people,” says Kristýna, describing the community that is very important to her.

In terms of investment potential, it has grown in importance for Kristýna over time. She follows the artist’s development as time passes, attends exhibitions and fairs, and checks in with gallerists to gauge interest in their work. At the same time, she adds, “But to be completely honest, I’m significantly more interested in the potential investment only after I’ve bought a piece that I’ve fallen in love with for some reason,” she admits.

She divides her art and collecting goals into three categories based on how she is able to accomplish them. “So, I’d like to visit Eliška Konečná’s studio soon, I have been thinking about a Malick Sidibé photograph for many years, or own a piece by Cy Twombly – I love his energy,” with such a spark of joy Kristýna ends our conversation.