The Museum of Modern Art in New York has wooed Greek super-collector and civil engineering magnate Dakis Joannou onto its painting and sculpture committee, which advises the curatorial department on acquisitions.
Mr Joannou is an influential figure in the art world through his Deste Foundation, an Athens-based organisation that promotes contemporary art. He has gained a reputation for collecting edgy work from artists such as Maurizio Cattelan, Kiki Smith and Jeff Koons, whom he commissioned to paint his 118-foot yacht, “Guilty”, and whose “Made in Heaven” series he has collected extensively.
In May, Mr Joannou joined the 32-member committee, which includes a mix of trustees and philanthropists and is chaired by Levi Strauss heiress Mimi Haas, along with noted collector and Condé Nast chief executive Si Newhouse Jr. and lawyer Joel Ehrenkranz.
“It is obviously my honour to be a member of MoMA,” Mr Joannou told The Art Newspaper. He said he was enthusiastic about the museum’s recent programming, with shows such as “Martin Kippenberger: the Problem Perspective” which was on view this Spring. He added: “I think it’s getting more engaged with contemporary art, which is a very positive thing.”
An active supporter of the New Museum, the Guggenheim and the Tate in addition to the Deste Foundation—which in June opened a show featuring a collaboration between Matthew Barney and Elizabeth Peyton (until 30 September)—Mr Joannou says he doesn’t “think they’re in conflict”.
MoMA president emerita Agnes Gund called Mr Joannou’s appointment “very exciting” and said she hopes it will lead to great new works at the museum. Around the time he joined the committee, Mr Joannou, who said he “hasn’t thought about” offering the museum any art yet, sold a major Kippenberger self-portrait, Untitled, 1988, at Sotheby’s for a record-breaking $3.6m. Andrew Goldstein
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as 'MoMA brings super-collector into the fold'
