Nazy Vassegh: Reinventing the Traditional Art Fair with Eye of the Collector


09/16/2021

We spoke to Nazy Vassegh in advance of the opening of the inaugural Eye of the Collector at the historic Two Temple Place in the middle of London. From auction house to advisor to art fair CEO, she has created a new model for collectors, where the artworks take center stage.



by Mala Yamey

Nazy Vassegh in Two Temple Place, 2019. Courtesy Eye of the Collector © Photo Alex Board
What were the reasons behind choosing Two Temple Place for Eye of the Collector?

Well, it’s an absolutely beautiful historic gem in central London, and the minute I walked in, I just knew it was fit for what we wanted to do. The Palazzos in Venice were a big inspiration for me, and I thought that Two Temple Place was a wonderful example of a Neo-Gothic structure, that was as close to a Venetian palazzo. It was the former private office and apartment of William Waldorf Astor (1848-1919). He spared no expense in creating this visual environment, because he worked with the then contemporary craftsmen and artists of the day to create the interior, so as you walk through, there are statues up the staircases, reliefs all around the walls and the ceilings. It all points to people that he admired in arts, culture and literature - he was a collector too.

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