Drawn to the exotic sights and sounds of the New York art scene of the 1980s, Swiss-born Suzanne Syz soon found herself moving in social circles such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Julian Schnabel and Francesco Clemente. At the same time, she and her banker-husband Eric Syz had the good sense to start collecting the early-career art that swirled around them.
Back in Switzerland, with her experiences in the art world as her inspiration, Syz began creating pop-inspired jewelry that combined a whimsical sensibility with expert Swiss craftsmanship – think shaped brooches diamond-paved mushroom earrings and candy-colored Life Savers drop earrings. Dabbling turned into business at a dinner party in the mid-2000s. Across the table, Elizabeth Taylor was admiring a purple sapphire necklace Syz was wearing. The actress bought it the next day, sparking a frenzy for bold jewelry among jewelry connoisseurs. In 2010, Syz received the Design Miami/Basel Award for jewelry design.
Syz retired from jewelry in 2020, having made 1,001 pieces – the same number of works Basquiat would have produced before his death in 1988. She told Artnet News that she wanted to focus on cultivating his newly acquired vineyard in Tuscany, as well as his ever-growing art collection. Each of its homes – Geneva, Paris and now Tuscany – is dotted with contemporary pieces by Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger and John Armleder.
Ground floor: metal sculpture and print by Wade Guyton, wooden box by Richard Artschwager. First floor (from left to right): works by Valentin Caron, John Armleder, Alex Israel. Second floor (from left to right): works by Matthew Lutz Kinoy, Laura Owens, Carsten Höller. Third floor: works by Mathieu Malouf, Seth Price, General Idea, Seth price, Antek Walczak. Photo: Annik Wetter, courtesy of Suzanne Syz.
Even so, the collection is mostly housed in the “bank”. In 2017, the Syz chose the new Geneva headquarters of the SYZ group, a private financial company founded by Eric Syz, to store and display the Syz collection. Its glazed balcony tiers provide an unobstructed view of the works.
With the help of the couple’s artistic advisor, curator Nicolas Trembley, the collection has grown considerably, now numbering over 1,000 pieces. It features top names from its former New York cohort, in addition to Swiss artists Olivier Mosset, Fischli and Weiss and Sylvie Fleury, as well as mor names like Valentin Carron, Ella Kruglyanskaya, Roe Ethridge, Yngve Holen and Oliver Osborne. . . The collection does not conform to any medium, movement or geography, but contemporary art sets the tone.
We caught up with the multi-faceted collector to discuss past and present artistic obsessions.
Andy Warhol, screenprint by Suzanne Syz and her son Marc (1982). Courtesy of Suzanne Syz.
What was your first purchase?
One of my first purchases was a portrait of my son and myself by Andy Warhol. Andy painted everyone speechless and when I saw the result, I dared to tell him that I would like my son to remember me as I was: always full of humor, not taking me too much seriously. He was kind of amused because no one was ever enchanted by his portrayal. He finally gave me three for one and we became friends.
Walter Robinson, Moment (2018). Courtesy of Suzanne Syz.
What was your last purchase?
A little drawing by Walter Robinson [a former editor of Artnet]. It was for my son’s last birthday. I also bought a little drawing by Larry Stanton; his show at the last Venice Biennale was magnificent. I love and defend young artists, but I also like to rediscover artists who have long been overlooked!
Larry Stanton, Arthur’s living room (1978). Courtesy of Suzanne Syz.
Tell us about a favorite work from your collection.
I have many, but one of my favorites is a lot of fun, a life-size camel by Lutz Bacher. We display it in the atrium of our family bank alongside many pieces, including a dragon head by Lutz and a huge painting by Wade Guyton which I love. Her new show at the Galerie Chantal Crousel in Paris is so interesting.
From left to right: Lutz Bacher camel (1993), inkjet print by Wade Guyton Untitled (2015), and two sculptures by Rudolf Polansky, with the Pac-Man video by Elaine Sturtevant. Photo: Annik Wetter. Courtesy of Suzanne Syz.
What works or artists do you hope to add to your collection this year?
I think Charline de Heyl Or Amy Sillman are really doing a fantastic job today, or Trisha Donnelly and its marble sculptures.
I also collaborated as a jewelry designer with artist Conor McCreedy for Art Basel this year. This is a painting of a falcon whose eye is a brooch that I designed. Can I buy my own collab?
The napkin designed by Jean-Michel Basquiat for Suzanne Syz in the 1980s. Courtesy of Suzanne Syz.
What is the most valuable work of art you own?
I was introduced to Jean-Michel Basquiat while living in early 1980s New York. We dined from time to time. We shared great laughs over dirty jokes, which we both enjoyed! Over dinner and another giggle, he drew my teeth on a napkin and signed it. I still have it and I framed it. Not sure if this is Jean-Michel’s most precious work of art, but it is certainly my most expensive!
Where do you most often buy art?
I’m friends with gallery owners like Gisela Capitain, whom I trust a lot, and also visit artists’ studios when they travel. Otherwise I go to Art Basel with our curator Nicolas Trembley, and we talk all year round.
Suzanne Syz with a sculpture by Franz West on the lawn of her Geneva home. Courtesy of Suzanne Syz.
Is there a work you regret buying?
None. I am happy with all the purchases I have made and support all the artists I collect.
What work have you hung above your couch? And in your bathroom?
I don’t have sofas against a wall at home but regarding sofas I want to quote my dear friend Jean Armleder. When he visits certain collectors, he notices that they tend to hang his paintings above their sofas. To make it easier for them, he decides to offer them the sofa with the painting. It is his series of furniture-sculptures that is so interesting.
In my opinion, the bathroom is not the best place for artwork with humidity, so some drawings from my grandchildren will do.
Marc Lekey, Inflatable Felix (2018). Photo: Annik Wetter. Courtesy of Suzanne Syz.
What’s the least practical piece of art you own?
Inflatable Felix by Marc Leckey. It is 01 meter high. It is currently exhibited at Macro museum in Rome! But art never becomes practical – it’s art.
What work would you have liked to buy when you had the opportunity?
I had the opportunity to buy red balloon dog by Jeff Koons a long time ago and didn’t. I would like to have it in my garden in Tuscany now, where I produce organic wine and display some sculptures.
Sturtevant, Target Johns with four faces1986. Courtesy of Suzanne Syz.
If you could steal one piece of art without getting caught, what would it be?
I would “steal” anything Elaine Sturtevant-an incredible and gifted artist that I had the good fortune to meet and spend time with.
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