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Cover Artist: Audrey Lyall
Art is more than what meets the eye, it’s not just a decorative piece, but a way for artists and even buyers to tell their stories, even if it’s only through a frame.
Phillip Collins, art collector and founder of Good Black Art, has mastered identifying his personal experience through art and emphasizing diversity and exclusion. He has expanded his newly found peace to emerging black artists and collectors.
Collins studied international marketing in North Carolina before moving to China where he spent nearly a decade introducing legacy industries such as Disney to new markets. This was primarily due to barriers such as political or socioeconomic issues. His work overseas reminded him of his childhood when he lacked certain access to interests such as lifestyle, fashion, and art. The business slowly started in 2017 after leaving China and moving to New York. This was the first time he lived in America as an adult and faced challenges with his identity.
“It was the first time that I experienced reverse culture shock — I had heard of it but it is a very real thing,” Collins said. “First time working in corporate America, first time being out as a queer black man in America, first time living in New York City — first time having to re-learn relationships with family and friends who knew someone different before.” Leaving America to escape societal problems such as racism and homophobia met him right at the front door upon his arrival, aiding in his creation of a safe space for not only himself but those around him as well. “I knew I needed to find a way to cope with that and heal – and art became that,” he said.
Collins’ interest in art was always present, showing through his marketing work for his client, doing an art sponsorship. However, when he realized there wasn’t much diversity, it was a wake-up call to create a new space for artists to showcase diversity and expression. The move to New York provided him with access to a scene that was familiar to him regarding his experienced background and racial perspective. “I just dove in head first and loved it – then was like I want to take this a step further. I think I want to become a collector,” Collins said. “ I can look at a painting and look at a sculpture and see what the artist is trying to say and I’m learning about myself. I’m figuring out who I am – this is telling my story in such a specific way and building a new language.”
With some digging, Collins discovered the gaps in the art market for consumers, which included a lack of industry knowledge, cost, and access. Before launching his business, he spent three years curating his one-of-a-kind collection, discovering black artists and emerging talent from all over the world. The 2020 pandemic then caused drastic changes but in a positive way for his artists, who began gaining widespread recognition that had not previously occurred. It first started with family and friends noticing the art around common spaces before rapidly growing. Collins realized he needed to share his method of peace and healing when words weren’t enough, connecting emerging artists with new collectors.
“I had done really well for myself with marketing and advertising but I was so unfulfilled,” he said. “There were lots of signs that I needed to do something else – I watched a master class with Issa Rae and she said ‘if you have the tools and resources to change a problem and choose not to, you’re part of the problem – you have to use what you got and create something if you don’t see it.’” After the Issa Rae video it was no more hiding but instead flourishing in the career that is meant for him. Collins was already debating about what to do regarding work and the good news combined with the video fueled his decision to expand his collection and soon, Good Black Art was formed.
Good Black Art officially launched in 2021, working with over 80 artists from 14 different countries. Recently, the company has been discovering their artists through its submission process, whether online or through networking. The company offers e-commerce, media, partnerships, and exhibitions. “Ultimately, my goal is to pave a way for everyone to live with art,” Collins said. “ [I] create tangible ways to engage and buy art, something I didn’t see five or six years ago.” When he got into the business, he quickly discovered that price was not the only barrier keeping collectors away, but also a lack of industry knowledge and the fear of discussing it. However, when removing these factors and providing that knowledge, opened up new opportunities for people to engage and buy more artwork.
“I found that everyone has an interesting connection to art like [people saying] I used to make art, I know an artist’ or have you seen this Instagram account?” Collins said. “It’s like this artist within and I’m interested in awakening that. We all have that creative thing that we didn’t pursue, nurture enough, or hide because we are doing other things to make money, but most people in the world have it.” Collins, as a collector, wanted to provide artists with an opportunity, emphasizing investing in them early, so they have the chance to truly grow. He also aspires to teach other collectors that it is more than a price tag, but a way to help artists who are publicly expressing themselves be able to get more materials, make a living, and most importantly, continue spreading their message.
“I think all artists create for different reasons,” Collins said. “They have stories, they have experiences and a point of view they want to share with the world —-certain stories, certain narratives work for specific mediums or multiple mediums — for them communicating a story is through the work they create, to share their stories and preserve them over time.”
Now, the company has over 150 artists and is reshaping the industry by challenging norms and blending fashion and art. Good Black Art is constantly achieving the goal of expanding the art world by uniquely bringing new people in, something that has not been seen in the industry before. Collins believes art is the heart of culture and society and should bring its power and connections to fields such as film, fashion, and even science. Ultimately, aiming to create those nuanced conversations driven by passion.
“Having a deeper sense of self changed my life so I want to make sure that I give everyone a new way, a new option to have a deeper sense of self. It may not be art for everybody but I’m saying at least try it,” he said. “Good Black Art is the voice of artists. We lend the keys to them for a particular period to say it’s your platform, what do you need to say and how are you going to say it, we’ll help you get it out.”
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