![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL1.jpg?w=1920&h=1920&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646384&s=c4855275c16c4bbcaf9d94d94c5f0722 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL1.jpg?w=1536&h=1536&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646384&s=0f0bcd97fa2f34d2996b33253c0b00a5 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL1.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646384&s=ef005316b94440e8b1fba205c1d9a855 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL1.jpg?w=1024&h=1024&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646384&s=a971d6daad2490422d2ddc9ad1106118 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL1.jpg?w=768&h=768&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646384&s=87ab38adb37f197d1a99235db30faaba 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL1.jpg?w=512&h=512&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646384&s=133b77279085e02b9f332b625aad2221 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL1.jpg?w=256&h=256&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646384&s=afe44b67efc6d5439b698d15e6cd5e44 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL1.jpg?w=128&h=128&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646384&s=903f4c7a655d28954a83e9de0080965c 128w)
Danish art collector Sara Lysgaard.
Photo: Mikkel Adsbøl
Who do you listen to? Historically collectors were advised by art critics and museum directors / curators. I get the impression this has changed greatly. Who do you go to for advice? Who whispers in your ear?
It's a very personal and introverted feeling I'm after, when seeking out pieces of art to add to my collection. Of course I listen to gallerists and advisors (primarily) but I wouldn’t say they influence me a lot.
They inspire me instead and open my eyes to artworks and artists I wouldn’t have looked for myself. But in the end, it is a very private relationship between me and the artwork, and a gallerist or an artist CV’s can’t influence that. It’s either for me or it’s not.
You have developed a very strong, personal, visual style, in the way you dress and the way you decorate your home. How does art influence this?
Indeed, it’s a small microcosm I have made where the different elements, from design to clothes to art, co-exist but definitely also feed and breathe life into each other. I wouldn’t be able to separate them, they sort of belong together in one big happy mix. But maybe the art world is more a driving force than the other too, since I’m mostly in that sphere.
When art pokes, it’s because there is something there - something unruly, and I like that.
Does the art you own need to harmonise at home in the way a design object would? Or can it be awkward, outspoken, difficult, disruptive, oppositional? Ugly?
It is so true what people say; that when an artwork ‘messes’ with you a little bit and isn’t too aesthetically pretty, that this will prolong your desire to engage with the piece over longer periods of time - maybe a whole lifetime if you’re lucky.
When art pokes, it’s because there is something there - something unruly, and I like that. I like aesthetics too, without a doubt, but what I find most interesting are the pieces I have in my house that I haven’t figured out yet and hopefully never will.
Does art at home serve a different purpose to art in a public context, in a museum, or a gallery?
I believe it is the same whether art is in public or in private. Art sparks life and energy and thoughts inside the universe that you carry in your own head. It enlightens and opens your mind and sort of distorts what’s already in there, just a tiny bit.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL2.jpg?w=1920&h=2651&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646580&s=9e412b3cd1b118534e940443deffcd85 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL2.jpg?w=1536&h=2121&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646580&s=bad9dacc57ba02bd3e44c5e38243df57 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL2.jpg?w=1280&h=1767&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646580&s=02abd1ca97285cd24340aa84a2ade562 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL2.jpg?w=1024&h=1414&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646580&s=29328a6584616b9159e22da908db5463 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL2.jpg?w=768&h=1060&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646580&s=557c03505e1f2edb2c6b50ecb067bf87 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL2.jpg?w=512&h=707&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646580&s=3a34b1528eb9cf68a92b06d7827d8b69 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL2.jpg?w=256&h=353&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646580&s=a78d1287ca7c7df6c536b54a5a33ee53 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL2.jpg?w=128&h=176&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646580&s=6e22bb06f77351c55fce7085dfabcd8e 128w)
Interior view of Sara Lysgaard's home.
Photo: Mikkel Adsbøl
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL3.jpg?w=1920&h=2650&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646682&s=ac907b43e1ccc4abb400523e79f6a328 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL3.jpg?w=1536&h=2120&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646682&s=47dd3f164ed19cd469e2b0f7fc39cf25 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL3.jpg?w=1280&h=1767&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646682&s=99754cc40eca62c491f1f540b46a2bb8 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL3.jpg?w=1024&h=1413&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646682&s=86a268d97fde4fbd866ae2886941ebc0 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL3.jpg?w=768&h=1060&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646682&s=0d7987b1dff2462621337aff5be1cda6 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL3.jpg?w=512&h=706&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646682&s=96ba7ac2f410585e5792dc82a352f108 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL3.jpg?w=256&h=353&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646682&s=e4be89f68ae8ebbcbd9dc2436cc01b12 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL3.jpg?w=128&h=176&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646682&s=a91b1e203db9e3f7d3b9dc744ccdf8bb 128w)
Interior view of Sara Lysgaard's home.
Photo: Mikkel Adsbøl
Do you buy art to look at, or to think about?
It depends on the day I’m having. Sometimes I wake up and see a beautiful brushstroke or a fantastic colour and that will be enough to satisfy me for the day. Other times I dig deeper, in a search to understand either the piece or actually myself a bit better, through the work. I think it might be the latter in most cases.
Do you go to museums on your own on a wet Tuesday afternoon?
Yes, absolutely. I prefer to visit shows at galleries or museums on my own. I can hear my own inner state of being better when I’m alone.
Do you need to understand a work to like it?
Absolutely not, that would ruin the “fun”.
Would you support a museum in buying a work that you personally wouldn’t want to own?
Yes, and I have done that and I will continue to do that.
"I think the amount of time that you invest in and with the artworks, they will give you back tenfold."
Do you collect with your head or your heart?
My heart. Obviously I cannot argue that I completely ignore “facts” about artists, but I really make an honest effort to not be manipulated into buying “smart”. And since I have never sold a piece to gain funds or cash-in, it would only make sense to keep listening to my heart.
What do you want from art?
A free space, and to understand myself better. I feel it is such a huge privilege to be able to surround myself with art. I think the amount of time that you invest in and with the artworks, they will give you back tenfold.
What does art want from you?
My curious eyes, my willingness to look (really look!) and for me to loose all thoughts and ideas of how I should live my life, at least for a short moment when I surrender to the piece and stay completely silent with it. And when I do that, maybe, a brilliant new and upside down idea or thought will appear.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL4.jpg?w=1920&h=2651&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646820&s=22bfb014c0aaae74007372b2a6be00b9 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL4.jpg?w=1536&h=2121&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646820&s=02d433d0a6033c9449f3e3c774600acd 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL4.jpg?w=1280&h=1767&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646820&s=227276d725eef3341937b663dc0f1c2e 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL4.jpg?w=1024&h=1414&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646820&s=1ff4bf0efead6a7decb02425cc4716b3 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL4.jpg?w=768&h=1060&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646820&s=eb9f0edf31abb32b5a633a30f3206bbb 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL4.jpg?w=512&h=707&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646820&s=c943f1cb3513c3346275fcab055c0cf4 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL4.jpg?w=256&h=353&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646820&s=f41baf264ef622a99c1601023e4fe374 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL4.jpg?w=128&h=176&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646820&s=d060e0f66ce15aa9ef242d6626cd6402 128w)
Interior view of Sara Lysgaard's home.
Photo: Mikkel Adsbøl
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL5.jpg?w=1920&h=2651&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646860&s=8d3c59a519bb76c1d9c6e8d1adcb34b5 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL5.jpg?w=1536&h=2121&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646860&s=f2d34aa00d3302642798b5b371ad2477 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL5.jpg?w=1280&h=1767&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646860&s=15cd0f3f4e0a3388dd18b9c0718981ab 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL5.jpg?w=1024&h=1414&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646860&s=a717dff6fe4c4ff296c25564b04dce15 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL5.jpg?w=768&h=1060&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646860&s=a80583bcd91075684e58c4029b29be33 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL5.jpg?w=512&h=707&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646860&s=f48995cb5da98051061d3a51d9de0d14 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL5.jpg?w=256&h=353&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646860&s=47e77f00861f0cde7f5436d48d0f9180 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/SL5.jpg?w=128&h=176&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643646860&s=95552c14fde32b58103b61e2ba440547 128w)
Interior view of Sara Lysgaard's home.
Photo: Mikkel Adsbøl
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/David-Risley.jpg?w=256&h=256&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643623343&s=352a0757433e63011b69ecac4d6b40a0 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/David-Risley.jpg?w=128&h=128&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643623343&s=c7131c0099e5b55a8b9f13e7a0c813df 128w)
David Risley is an artist. He ran David Risley Gallery, in London (2002-2010) and Copenhagen (2010-2018). He was founding Co-curator of Bloomberg Space, London (2002-2005), Co-founder of Zoo Art Fair, London (2004), and Co-founder and Co-owner of CHART. He continues to write, curate, and develop projects with artists. He is developing a sustainability project for public-facing institutions.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Journal/Screenshot-2022-02-03-at-10.48.49.png?w=512&h=656&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643882166&s=5e26fae1e556a45f4ad636d8bb0890d5 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Journal/Screenshot-2022-02-03-at-10.48.49.png?w=256&h=328&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643882166&s=99ae021c4c3bd0b1af70edd6dd50e88d 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Journal/Screenshot-2022-02-03-at-10.48.49.png?w=128&h=164&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643882166&s=1deee894674d61c3a91704e5c38ce5a9 128w)
All photos are by Mikkel Adsbøl from the newly published book LIVING WITH ART, by Katrine Martensen-Larsen, presenting private visits to Danish contemporary artists and individual homes of true art collectors. Get more information on the book here.