Ricco Ocampo is no stranger to retail. He found success in launching lasting brands such as eyewear i2i New York and clothing brands Sari-Sari Store and The Black Shop. His eye is sharp when spotting what sells and is in tune with the pulse of the market. At the House of O – his home […]
Art Collection That Speaks to the Soul
For this homeowner, art has always been an extension of himself. He has always known a thing or two about design. Before cake-making, he was an art director and graphic designer in both the Philippines and Canada, and there’s always been an eye for innovation and style deep in his bones.
In the first place, one of the reasons why he started making cakes was because it was something he could be passionate about, exploring the limits of the form and innovating the way he created cakes and pastries. That eye for design has made his company one of the most sought-after in the country, creating forms uniquely suited for that medium that showcased its beauty.
“It’s all about art—appreciation for art and the fundamentals,” he says. “The beauty of something, the matchmaking […] to create something beautiful. It’s the same thing with life; just different materials or different people […] things like that. “Because we do love art; every little small thing, we appreciate like, ‘Oh, how does this taste? Does it make you feel good when you eat something?’” It’s that passion for art that drove him through his life. And because of that fervor for creation, he found another outlet for his lifelong passion for the arts: art collection.
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Curating With Passion
Though his collection and knowledge of the art scene is remarkably extensive now, he shares that it was not always like that at the beginning. For collectors just starting out at the scene, he recommends building a framework of what they like, and not just going with the trends and what’s popular. Visit exhibits, talk to artists and galleries, and even surround yourself more with fellow art lovers you can gain knowledge and experience from.
The homeowner emphasizes that collecting should go beyond name recognition and the monetary value of art. It’s all about finding the paintings and pieces that you enjoy, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks.
“Buy what you like; don’t buy it because everybody’s buying it,” he says. “Because at the end of the day, when you hang it, you have to look at it and you have to enjoy it […] At the end of the day, as long as you love it, it shouldn’t matter whether they go up in value or not.”
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Photographed by Ed Simon
Read more: A Pocket of Instinctive Design by Kix Suarez
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