Female Voices in Art: Jeannette Sanders, Collector

Jeannette Sanders (b. 1944, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) studied at the Sociale Academie in Rotterdam and Advanced Social Studies in Amsterdam. She has been the head of the social work department specialized in adolescents with drug related problems at the GGD (Municipal Health Service) in Rotterdam. Together with her husband, Martijn Sanders, Jeannette started to collect art in 1972. They have been lending pieces from their collection to international museums such as MoMA, New York, and Centre Pompidou, Paris. A unique, large scale survey of works from the collection was exhibited in 2014/15 in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam under the title Bad Thoughts . The Sanders Collection is one of the most important private collections in the Netherlands and contains a diverse array of several hundred paintings, sculptures, assemblages, photos, drawings, text-based artworks, films, videos, and installations by over 350 mostly European and American artists, among them Anselm Kiefer, Cindy Sherman, David Claerbout and Robert Longo.

Could you tell us something about your role in the art world?

My husband and I started to move into the artworld in 1972. We were 27 years old, just married and thrilled to discover that artists can confront you with the zeitgeist and make you aware of your deeper reflections, emotions and secrets. As a collector, the ultimate act is to buy and to exhibit the work you acquired, which I find very satisfying. If I can lend the work to a museum so other people can enjoy it as I do, I am happy. For years I was on the board of the Groninger museum.

What did you enjoy about being a part of this project?

I was honoured to be asked by Carla. I have known her work since she was exhibiting at the Van Zoetendaal gallery in Amsterdam. The way she is photographing women in their favourite clothes while retaining their own personality is professional.

Do you have a favourite artist?

The advantage of collecting is that I can have many favourites. One of them is Cindy Sherman. She developed herself as an amazing artist using herself in all kind of settings from cute, sexy to horrendous, on top of that she is not afraid of getting older.

What is your earliest memory involving art?

My earliest memory were the visits I made with my parents to the museum Boymans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, where I lived. I vividly remember that I saw my first Andy Warhol there. I did not understand it, but I loved the colours.

Do you have any special thoughts about the position of women in the art world?

The position of women in the art world must not be underestimated in comparison with that of men and the other way around. The basic issue for me is quality, for the work of women as well as of men.

What are you wearing, and is there a story behind it?

I am wearing one of my favourite jackets and a blouse by Issey Miyake. I love the textures and colours he is using. I discovered him before he started Pleats Please , and I am still a fan.

What impact has the current health crisis on your daily practice?

Well, I have never been at home for such a long time. I enjoy our house with the art around us. I am sad to have missed several important exhibitions as the Jan van Eyck in Gent and more.

Is it changing your views on Art?

I think that the art fair world will be closed for the coming year, which will force the art lovers to rediscover the galleries in their neighbourhood. For young artists it is important that people can see their work in reality because I think that unknown art deserves the real confrontation, not only on zoom.

Are you creating new initiatives and ways of working?