Kevin Love Opens Up About His Art Collection and Mental Health Journey

Utah Jazz power forward Kevin Love, in an interview with CULTURED, discusses his art collection, which includes works by Ed Ruscha, George Condo, Rashid Johnson, Antony Gormley, and Tracey Emin. Love began collecting seriously in his late 20s, inspired by fellow NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, and guided by advisor Jane Suitor and dealer Vito Schnabel. His first purchase was Ruscha's "The End." Love's collection is deeply personal, reflecting themes of anxiety, identity, and vulnerability, intertwined with his mental health advocacy through the Kevin Love Fund, established after a 2017 panic attack. He highlights works like Doug Aitken's "EXIT" and Tracey Emin's neon piece "An Insane Desire For You" as conversation starters. Love regrets missing out on Cindy Sherman's "Untitled Film Still #21." He emphasizes patience and honesty in collecting, avoiding the pressure to know everything quickly. Love's interest leans toward established artists like Ruscha and Gormley, and he credits Susie Hodge's book "Why Your Five Year Old Could Not Have Done That" for shaping his approach.