In most contexts, being known as the “Slime Queen” would be far from flattering, but collector Karen Robinovitz wears the title as a badge of honor. With Sara Schiller, she co-founded the Sloomoo Institute, a neon-colored, multi-sensory art space that opened in 2019 in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood, where visitors can interact with all kinds of shiny, gooey, and sparkling.
And while she’s devoted much of her energy in the years since to bringing the Sloomoo Institute’s philosophy of tactility and play to a wider audience – there are now locations in Atlanta and Chicago as well. – Robinovitz is also a very serious and busy collector. His Brooklyn home is filled with works by female artists, from large paintings by Judith Linhares, Christina Quarles, Cristina BanBan, Hayv Kahraman, Emily Mae Smith and Ginny Casey, to irreverent sculptures by Katie Stout, Genesis Belanger and Kennedy Yanko. Here she tells The arts journal about their latest purchases, most prized possessions and more.
The Art Newspaper: What was the first work you bought?
Karen Robinovitz: Susan Graham wall sculpture of a pistol, made of liquid porcelain through a pastry press. It’s really well executed but not my sensibility now.
What was your last purchase?
A beautiful painting by Yoora Lee from the Half Gallery booth at Expo Chicago.
If your house was on fire, how much work would you save?
It’s like asking me which child I prefer! The Christina Quarles, Katherine Bernhardt, and a mini Emily Mae Smith are closest to the door, so they’re easy to grab, but not easy to carry (well, the Emily is easy to carry).
If money weren’t an issue, what would your dream purchase be?
A great Cecily Brown.
What work do you regret not buying when you have the chance?
It’s a long list. One of the first Wangechi Mutu. A Yoshitomo Nara girl.
A painting of Loie Hollowell in her early days.
What is the most surprising place where you have exhibited a work?
In the linen closet.
Which artists, dead or alive, would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama, Hilma af Klint, Judy Chicago, Cindy Sherman and Mickalene Thomas.
What’s the best collection advice you’ve ever been given?
It’s going to sound cliché, but it’s true – only buy what you love and want to live with. Don’t get carried away by the frenzy of the market.
Did you buy an NFT?
No. I like the concept of NFTs for marketing and access, but I also think it will be interesting to see how we look back decades from now.
from now on.
