Art collector Jan Mulder reveals his key points to young collectors

We meet up with elite art collector and visual arts promoter Jan Mulder and ask him about his passion for photography and his beginnings as a collector.

Twenty years ago, Jan Mulder, passionate about visual arts, set his restless gaze on contemporary photography and the restoration of vintage documentary works. He has built one of the most important collections in Latin America and, in addition, has acted as a promoter of art biennials and documentation centers with the desire to delve into the active work of the photographic historical legacy of Peru.

What has the photography meant for you?

It has been a life adventure. From a very young age I have been keen on photography. I studied to become a press photographer at university. Later I was an advertising photographer in a larger company working with their products. And from there, I developed a career in business administration. I have dedicated most of my life to managing family businesses, but at the same time seeking to relate to photography and putting together a photographic decoration at home, without thinking about creating a collection. That happened over time.

What inspired you to become an art collector?

I began my collection about 20 years ago, with no real intention then of making a collection. It has been simply because of my passion for photography itself. Being a photographer, one collects pieces that arouse interest; visits fairs and galleries; gets in contact with other photographers in Peru and abroad, thus the links develop.

What piece of advice would you give to a young collector?

My advice would be that it is important to focus on one or several aspects that you want, because the range of subjects that photography covers all around the world is so great that one cannot be working at the same time with photographs of animals in Africa as well as of families in the United States, in South America or in Asia... Here you have to focus on the themes you like and want to develop.

Interview with Jan Mulder, elite art collector and visual arts promoter.