Isaac Sultan Cohen’s foray into the world of both art and philanthropy began with an inheritance. Sultan Cohen’s late uncle bequeathed to him a contemporary art collection that would alter the course of his passions, turning him into both an avid collector of contemporary works as well as a prolific philanthropist. His collection, which is today his passion and to which he has dedicated countless years towards expanding, now consists of a trove of some of contemporary art’s most impactful works.
“Today, I am lucky enough to own pieces by contemporary art giants such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat”, Isaac Sultan Cohen says, with very obvious gratitude in his eyes. “But to be honest, when I started along what would become this lifelong journey, I was more than a bit lost”, he reflects. “As with many things in life, however, the more time I spent appreciating the collection which I inherited, alongside the pieces that I was acquiring, the sooner I realized the fact that art was far more than an ornament to hang on a wall.”
It was Warhol’s contemporary works that captivated Sultan Cohen almost from the get go. It was Warhol’s works’ unapologetic frankness which for him, and for many other Warhol enthusiasts, had a magnetic quality of sorts. Warhol rose to prominence through vivid depictions of both the celebrity and consumer culture of his time, but in a way that still resonates with lovers of contemporary works, such as Isaac Sultan Cohen.
“Warhol, the first time I saw his work, spoke to me straight away because believe it or not, his mode of expression reminded me of myself. Warhol never shied away from showing society as it was. He was quick to highlight the way in which people were consumed by the superficial. When I see something in society that I feel isn’t right, I like to believe that I have the same power to hold up a mirror, so to speak, and force people I encounter to confront their, often negative, obsessions,” Sultan Cohen explains.
There is more, however to Sultan Cohen’s love affair with contemporary art. Warhol’s work spoke to Sultan Cohen, not just as a commentary on society at large but also, on his second and equally important passion, philanthropy. “Many people like to see themselves as charitable”, he begins. “But instead of looking at the giving aspect, which is the most important in my eyes, they tend to get caught up in grand gestures, big events, and seemingly impressive numbers. Everyone wants to be seen at the biggest galas! What I learned though from Warhol’s art was to look deeper, to make sure that my philanthropy wasn’t just for show but instead, doing good for people and society on a fundamental level.”
Despite the common theme to the lessons he learned from the different contemporary artists which he collects, Sultan Cohen likes to highlight the differences between these. While Warhol provided Sultan Cohen with the perspective he needed to reflect on his approach to giving, Jean-Michel Basquiat, another contemporary master that Sultan Cohen is passionate about, helped drive home the societal changes that art could wield. Among the themes which one can find in Basquiat’s work is a bold and raw exploration of issues still shaping our society; race, power, and identity. Isaac Sultan Cohen elaborates on the themes which appealed to him most.
“If you know what you are looking for in his work, and not many do, Basquiat’s art does not just speak to you—it shouts! Basquiat, in a way that is entirely fearless, puts the difficult and uncomfortable truths out there which everyone is aware of but nobody wants to acknowledge”. This ability to not only create beauty but also raise awareness on the issues that matter, was among the reasons why Isaac Sultan Cohen chose to include his works in his collection.
As his understanding of contemporary art grew deeper, his vision for what he wanted, both his collection—and his legacy—to look like, became more apparent. To this day, his collection continues to transform into a well curated reflection of his beliefs and values. He continues to use art to be inspired to amplify voices, ask questions, and spark often difficult conversations.
“I don’t see myself as just a collector, and I certainly don’t see myself as an art investor in the traditional sense of the word. Sure, I am investing, but not in future financial gain. I am investing in the future of my legacy and that of the issues and people I care most passionately about.” he says. “Each new acquisition, to this day, is a deliberate choice which is made on the basis of what message it can bring to those viewing my collection and how it can help shape me as the person I want to become”. For Isaac Sultan Cohen, this somewhat unexpected journey into the world collecting is about far more than simple personal enjoyment; as a platform for social dialogue, it now highlights his own personal intersection of art and purpose.
