News — Collector Spotlight

Vertical Gallery’s latest Collector Spotlight profiles Louis Comte (IG: @louiscomte0503). Louis moved to Chicago from Paris 12 years ago: he comes from a family of art lovers, and started collecting while still in high school, over time striking up friendships with many artists on the Vertical roster. Seeking his own career in a creative field, Louis studied marketing, and currently works as a social media manager for a Chicago-based advertising agency.

Vertical Gallery: Why do you collect art?

Louis Comte: I collect art primarily for its visual aspect. I honestly don’t know or understand the meaning and/or background behind all the pieces in my collection, but each of them creates a unique feeling when I look at them, and inspires my own creativity. 

Art is a passion that I share with my family, so it’s a great opportunity for us to connect and share our perspectives with each other. I also really like meeting and connecting with the artists that created the pieces I collect. 

Whose art do you collect?

The pieces in my collection are from a mix of U.S.-based artists (Hebru Brantley, Jeremy Novy, Joseph Renda Jr., Kelsey Beckett, Laura Catherwood, Lie, Shepard Fairey, Steve Seeley) and international artists (Ador, Collin van der Sluijs, Ella & Pitr, Flog, Mau Mau, Miho Hirano, My Dog Sighs, Pipsqueak was here!!!, OakOak, Wark), most of which I’ve discovered thanks to Vertical Gallery. 

What is the first piece you acquired from Vertical?

A stencil-on-paper piece from Jeremy Novy portraying two koi fishes swimming together.

Whose work do you hope to add to your collection in the coming months? 

I’m less actively looking into adding more pieces and instead waiting to find pieces that give me a sort of “love at first sight” feeling, either from artists that I already know or artists that I will discover in the future. 

A few artists on my radar are Millo, Françoise Petrovich, Frank Noto and XOOOOX. I like the work from these artists, but don’t yet have a piece in my collection from any of them.

What's your advice for new and aspiring collectors?

Trust your instincts. When you appreciate a piece of art, you will feel it and know it almost instantly. Anything related to art — whether it’s acquiring a piece, seeing a work in a museum or creating your own art — is based on feelings, so listen to your feelings. 

Another piece of advice: You will most likely discover pieces that you like through trends, but buy them because you like them, not just because they are on-trend. 

Finally, if you’ve never been to a gallery before, it can be intimidating at first, but you’ll see that people in the art community are here to connect around art, and they are happy to welcome you and connect with you.

Vertical Gallery’s debut Collector Spotlight profiles Alisha Rajani (IG: @alisharajani), a Chicago native and owner of Frame Chicago. Alisha seamlessly blends her passion for art with Frame Chicago’s mission, helping tell the story of the city’s dynamic art scene by ensuring that collectors not only display their pieces but also preserve and elevate them with bold, design-forward framing solutions. 

Vertical Gallery: Why do you collect art?

Alisha Rajani: Art has the power to capture emotions, stories and moments in time that words alone cannot express. It enriches my daily life, and each piece tells a unique story that adds depth to my surroundings.

Whose art do you collect?

My collection primarily focuses on Chicago artists, as I’m passionate about supporting and showcasing the incredible talent within this city. However, Vertical Gallery has broadened my perspective, introducing me to a variety of talented artists from around the world. Over the years, I've collected works from artists including Sentrock, Flog, 2CHOEY, Delisha, lefty OUT there, Mia Lee and Noelle Berexa.

What is the first piece you acquired from Vertical Gallery?

The first piece I acquired from Vertical Gallery was by Australian artist Ben Frost. It was a piece of Bambi on a contraceptives package.

Whose work do you hope to add to your collection in the coming months?

I’m always on the lookout for new artists to support. I’d love to continue discovering both local Chicago talent and international artists that reflect diverse perspectives and creative innovation. A few artists I've got my eye on include Liz Flores, Jess Owens-Young and Morgan Nicolette Marshall.

What's your advice for new and aspiring collectors?

Collect what speaks to you personally. Art is about connection, and you’ll know when a piece resonates with you. Take your time, do your research and don’t feel pressured to follow trends. The more you learn and the more you immerse yourself in the art community, the more fulfilling the process becomes.