The event was the first public exhibition featuring works from Philoche’s coveted Philoche Collection, which he started in March of last year to help local, up & coming and struggling artists survive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
As COVID-19 began to ravage the globe early last year, Philoche felt the immediate effects on the art industry and knew he had to act. He instinctively turned to social media and shared a video on his Instagram handle calling out to his fellow artists, stating that he was looking to purchase as much artwork as possible and encouraged viewers to send him their work. What started as a $15,000 budget with the help of his collectors quickly became $30,000, then $70,000 and now, he’s purchased over $150,000 worth of art with no plans of stopping. What started as an act of kindness for one man became a saving grace for many people during a time when the world was shutting down.
Some of the artists from the collection attended the opening, including NYC-based Michael Shannon and Mekia Machine, who Philoche surprised on The Kelly Clarkson Show by purchasing her work. Also in attendance were collectors, friends, colleagues, and connoisseurs.