Private art collection on display in North Vancouver

  • 2022-02-13
One of Vancouver’s biggest private art collections is available for viewing to the public this spring at North Vancouver’s Griffin Art Gallery.

The collection was owned by the late Gerd Metzdorff, who acquired approximately 300 pieces of contemporary art over his career. The work is now on display as part of an exhibit called “Per Diem: The Gerd Metzdorff Collection”. Included are works by notable modern artists such as Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman and Linda Benglis.

Metzdorff worked as a flight attendant, and while traveling the world, he met with numerous artists, such as Warhol. Before passing away, Metzdorff bequeathed his collection to Vancouver-area art appreciator Grant Mann, with the intent of making the art publicly available.

“Per Diem” contains 90 works from Metzdorff’s collection, with other pieces to be displayed at an exhibit slated for 2023. The works span a variety of media, including paintings, photography and sculpture, and include several prominent Canadian artists.

Galleries typically use tools like brochure printing and special events to expand the educational function of their exhibitions. The Griffin Gallery is doing this through a “Conversations on Collecting” virtual event with Mann and David Birdsall, and the “From the Eye Straight Down to the Soul: A Panel on How Collecting Begins” event with gallery curator Karen Tam, taking place on March 13 and April 24, respectively. Both will discuss the practice of art collecting on a budget.

“Per Diem: The Gerd Metzdorff Collection” will be on display at the Griffin Art Gallery in North Vancouver until May 9. Visits are free, but must be booked in advance to allow for social distancing.