Collecting Art with Intention: Insights from Ivy Rose Ritchens of Ivy Rose Consulting (IVY RC.)

What does it mean to build a collection defined by intention and honesty? There is a moment when a work moves you and you feel the urge to collect. You pause and wonder what to do next. Do you start researching, or seek advice? Something about the piece you just saw captivated you, and you can’t ignore it. Collections built from honesty and authenticity begin with this very exact moment. They come from moments of spontaneity and listening to your gut.

Ivy Rose Consulting (IVY RC.), an art and design consultancy operating between Narrm/Melbourne and Eora/Sydney, was founded on this belief. IVY RC. works across art advisory and spatial integration, delivering a personalized, end‑to‑end service spanning collection development, curatorial advisory, design consultation, procurement, installation and ongoing stewardship. Building a collection with intention is not about finding the “right investment.” It is about recognizing your own voice, understanding what speaks to you and why it does. Director of IVY RC., Ivy Rose Ritchens, uses her experience working in commercial galleries, advising, and assisting with collection management to help collectors refine their perspective and let their discernment guide them as they build their collections. 

Selfless Art recently sat down with Ivy and asked her to talk us through her journey with IVY RC., her experience as a collector, and her tips on building a collection anchored in authenticity and honesty.

Interview

Selfless Art: Tell us how IVY RC. came to be? What inspired you to create a consultancy centered around helping collectors develop their collections?

Ivy Rose Ritchens: "I think IVY RC. came from a combination of things. After completing my art history degree, I worked for several years in commercial galleries as a sales associate across two Australian cities, which gave me a really strong understanding of the local market. I’ve always enjoyed work that allows me to connect with people, so the client side of things felt very natural to me. It felt like the right time to push myself into the next part of my career, and taking the plunge to start the business was really a matter of timing. My background is in the arts, but I’ve always been particularly interested in the space between art and the environments we live in. I love the process of curating a space and then finding the works that help tell its story. For me, collecting isn’t about simply acquiring beautiful objects; it’s about building something that feels personal and evolves with you."

Selfless Art: Assuming you are a collector yourself, can you tell us about the first artwork you purchased? What made that piece special to you?

Ivy Rose Ritchens: I’ve always collected art in some form, so my first purchase is actually quite difficult to pinpoint. I started buying little pieces from students, graduate shows, and small fundraisers, and I’ve also commissioned friends who are artists to make work for me. I’ve always liked the idea of supporting artists at different points in their careers and bringing work into my life in a way that feels personal.

The first time I purchased a work from a gallery, though, was a piece by Sebastian Helling from QB Gallery in Oslo. I bought it when I had moved to Sydney on my own — really as an adventure and a new chapter for myself. The work captured that particular moment perfectly. It’s bold and colourful, perhaps a little chaotic, but at its core incredibly playful. I was drawn to the frivolity of it, and especially Helling’s unusual use of colour and materials. It felt energetic and completely unrestrained, which was exactly what I think I was craving at that point in my life. It’s still one of my favourite pieces of art that I own. I think that’s partly why I’m so interested in the emotional side of collecting. Sometimes a work becomes important because of the artist or its place within their practice, but sometimes it’s simply because of when you found it and who you were when you did.

Selfless Art: The advice you’ll be sharing comes from your experience working with artists, galleries, and collectors. Can you tell us when you arrived at these tips, and whether they still guide your own collecting today?

Ivy Rose Ritchens: Most of the advice I share has come from witnessing the same questions and hesitations come up again and again. I’ve also made my own mistakes, changed my mind, and learnt a lot through collecting myself. The biggest thing I’ve learnt is that there really isn’t one correct way to collect. The market can sometimes make collecting feel like there are rules you need to understand before you’re allowed to participate, but I think curiosity is much more important than expertise. You don’t need to know everything about an artist, or have a perfectly developed taste, before you buy your first work.

My tips are really intended to encourage people to trust their own instincts while also giving them the tools to make informed decisions. I still use that approach in my own collecting. I also think it’s important to allow a collection to evolve. Your taste changes, your life changes, and the spaces you live in change. I don’t think a collection needs to be a fixed representation of who you are. Some of the most interesting collections are those that feel like a record of a person’s life — a little unexpected, a little eclectic, and full of stories. Following our conversation, Ivy shared her tips ...

Five Tips for Collecting Art with Intention

↘KnOw Why you’re bUying iT

Before considering price, placement or future value, ask yourself what is drawing you to the work. The answer doesn't need to be intellectual or strategic, but it should be honest. Understanding your motivations tends to lead to better decisions than following trends or other people's opinions.

↘FolLow praCticEs, not jUst ArtWorks

Acquiring a single work can be rewarding, but paying attention to an artist's practice over time often leads to a deeper understanding of their work and your own interests as a collector. Some of the most meaningful acquisitions come from developing a relationship with an artist’s practice over time, rather than acting on a single moment of discovery.

↘ProVenaNce tElls a sTory

Every artwork arrives with a history. Where it has been exhibited, who has collected it, and what conversations it has been part of, these details add layers of meaning beyond the object itself. Provenance is often discussed in terms of value, but its real importance lies in understanding an artwork's place within a broader cultural context.

↘SeEk aDviCe, nOt vaLidAtion

Whether that guidance comes from a consultant or a trusted peer, the role of good advice is not to confirm what you already think, but to offer context, insight and a perspective that helps your collection evolve.

↘CoNsiDer wHere tHe arTwoRk wilL liVe

An artwork doesn't exist in isolation. Light levels, humidity, scale, framing and installation conditions all influence how a work is experienced and preserved. A piece that performs beautifully in a gallery may require different considerations in a home or workplace.

↘DoCuMent eVeryThing fRom tHe beGiNnIng

Keep certificates, invoices, correspondence, condition reports, installation photographs, and acquisition records. Documentation is one of the least glamorous aspects of collecting, yet it becomes invaluable when dealing with insurance, conservation, or resale.

Ivy’s guidance talks us through building a collection based on instinct, curiosity, and connection. Her tips empower collectors to trust their gut, pay attention to what draws them in, and understand why a work resonates. She emphasizes building a collection through honesty, personal voice, and discernment rather than external pressure or the search for the “right investment.” Collecting is a journey that unfolds over time, influenced by connection with works that continue to stay with you long after they’re first encountered.

As members of the art community, we share a responsibility to uplift one another and offer resources that can make the journey easier. Artists seeking to leave an impact on their collectors and followers can feel free to share this guide with them. Passing along resources like these adds a personal touch to your relationships, supports collectors as they grow their collections, and reminds them that you are a resource beyond the moment of purchase.

To read more insights from Ivy and continue learning about her approach to collecting, follow IVY RC. on Instagram and visit the IVY RC. website.

Curious to see more?

Browse our curated selections to see what speaks to you.

VISIT NOW

DISCLAIMER:

The personal views, opinions, and perspectives expressed by artists featured, interviewed, or presented on this site are solely those of the respective individuals. They do not reflect the views, beliefs, or opinions of Selfless Art Gallery, its staff, or affiliates.