Nacho Polo and Robert Onuska have shaped a thoughtful collection inside their Tribeca apartment, bringing together painting, sculpture and photography with a particular focus on materiality and sculptural form. In 2018, they co-founded Studiotwentyseven, a design gallery dedicated to contemporary and experimental works, with spaces in Miami, New York and London. Their collection includes pieces by Yoshitomo Nara, Rashid Johnson, George Condo, Paola Pivi and Claudia Comte. They have loaned pieces to institutional exhibitions at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid and Macro: Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome. Ahead of the spring fairs in New York, the couple discussed their collecting journey, most recent acquisition and the auction they have their eyes on.
Avatar Departing (2020) by Erwin Wurm has a prime spot overlooking Manhattan Photo: William Jess Laird
The Art Newspaper: What was the first work you ever bought?
Nacho Polo and Robert Onuska: Our first acquisition was Autolykos (2019) by the American artist Ron Gorchov. We were immediately drawn to his use of bent-wood canvases. They sit somewhere between painting and sculpture, which we’ve always found compelling. There’s a quiet tension in his work, especially in how he handles colour, that really stayed with us and ultimately shaped how we think about collecting.
What was the most recent work you bought?
Most recently, we acquired Nine Women 5 (2009) by Alex Katz. We’ve admired his work for a long time; there’s something so confident and clear about his approach. It feels both timeless and very present. We’re excited to finally have a piece by him as part of our collection.
How quickly do you decide to buy a work of art?
Usually quite quickly. It’s a pretty instinctive process. There’s often an immediate connection that’s hard to explain. At the same time, the market moves fast, so trusting that first reaction is important.
Rashid Johnson’s Untitled Anxious Bruise Drawing (2023) and Bordeaux Boxer (2021) by Clotilde Jiménez Photo: William Jess Laird
What do you regret not buying when you had the chance?
A textural sculpture by Nick Cave. We were shown a few beautiful works but didn’t move quickly enough. His work has such a strong physical presence and energy. It really stays with you. Missing that opportunity has definitely made us more aware of acting on instinct.
If you could have any work from any museum in the world, what would it be?
Any work by Jean-Michel Basquiat from the Broad in Los Angeles. His work still feels incredibly alive—layered, expressive and full of meaning. It’s the kind of work you could live with and keep discovering over time.
Autolykos (2019) by Ron Gorchov was Polo and Onuska’s first acquisition Photo: William Jess Laird
What are you most looking forward to seeing during the exhibitions, fairs and auctions in New York this spring?
We’re especially looking forward to the collection of Jean and Terry de Gunzburg at Sotheby’s. It’s a great example of how art and collectible design can live together in a really natural, thoughtful way.
What’s your least favourite thing about art fairs?
We usually attend the VIP previews, so the crowds are manageable. What we actually enjoy is the energy; there’s something exciting about seeing the works in person for the first time, beyond the previews galleries share in advance. That sense of discovery never really goes away.
Where do you like to eat and drink around Chelsea and the Hudson Yards area?
We often go to La Boca at Faena New York. Beyond the food and atmosphere, we really love the art collection at Faena; it makes the experience feel like a continuation of the day rather than a break from it.
