Meet The Specialist

What is your current position at Bonhams?

I am the Head of the Popular Culture department at our Knightsbridge saleroom. Our department holds several sales throughout the year which offer film and music memorabilia, as well as other ‘weird and wonderful’ collectibles. Our next department auction is Rock, Pop & Film, which will take place on 17 November. I am also working on our cross-department auction, Pop x Culture, which will be held on 11 November 2021.

Where are you from? And what inspired you to go into the art world?

I was born in Singapore and lived there until I was eight before moving to the Cotswolds. My love of art stems from my love of culture: I have always been interested in how different countries have such diverse fashion, music, cinema, food and language, and Singapore's kaleidoscope of cultural heritage was a big influence.

I started taking Art History lessons at school and that was it, I was hooked. I was fascinated by the history of art and culture, and the artists, designers, musicians and actors who played such crucial roles in defining popular culture.

What was your first job?

I actually started out at Bonhams Chester back in 2012 as an intern. After my internship, I worked with an important private collector in his private estates in London and Cumbria. The role was very special as it showed me the other side of the auction world – when an item is finally brought home and treasured. It also taught me the inner workings of a true Collector’s mind.

 Name one of your triumphs.

Last year I brought to sale the ‘BAFTA at Bonhams’ collection – the sale included almost 40 lots of original film memorabilia sourced directly from actors and film studios which were sold on behalf of BAFTA’s charitable work for new and emerging talent in the film industry. Donors included Olivia Harrison, Richard Curtis, Helen Mirren, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Tom Ford, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm and Ben Kingsley – to name just a few. The collection raised £100,000 on sale day – doubling our expectations. It was an absolute privilege to partner with BAFTA and to help support the film industry in such uncertain times caused by the pandemic.

What has changed in your area of the business since you first started?

The passion for collecting memorabilia has not changed, but the level to which clients are willing to go in order to own a piece of ‘nostalgia’ has gone from strength to strength. To own an item that was once owned or used by your musical icon or your favourite Hollywood star is an increasingly competitive arena. When emotion takes over in the saleroom, bidding becomes fierce, and the results surprise everyone. There is nothing quite like it - it’s why I do what I do!

What is your strength as a specialist?

Being able to talk to just about anyone. The most important aspects for Popular Culture objects are the stories and the provenance; when you are able to connect with a collector, that is when you truly learn not only about the item in discussion, but also about what is important to them and people like them. You can then source better items for your sales, catalogue them better, and find that next home for them more accurately. Establishing a connection with collectors is one of my favourite aspects of my job, as they have all the best stories.

What's exciting you about your next sale?

I'm excited to be working on Pop x Culture, an auction that covers a range of different collecting categories with a focus on Pop Art and its influences on music, fashion, and youth culture. This is the second iteration of the auction, following the first's success last October. We are currently consigning for the sale and are concentrating on unique objects related to the Hip Hop, Pop, Punk Rock, and Art House Film genres, such as Andy Warhol, Blondie, Gorillaz, Beastie Boys, Madonna, Stanley Kubrick, The Sex Pistols, David Bowie, and Vivienne Westwood.

We are also consigning for our second seasonal department sale, titled 'Rock, Pop & Film', which will be held in London on 17 November. It's always fascinating to delve into the provenance of objects related to cultural classics, from The Beatles to James Bond.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I used to be very good at sewing and made quite a few of my own dresses, or customised dresses I found in vintage shops. I haven’t done it in a while, but I would like to get back into it!

Which object has changed your life?

Ian Curtis’s Vox Phantom guitar – when I opened that guitar case, I knew it was going to be special. The guitar itself was super cool, but it didn’t just represent Ian himself. It represented Joy Division, their ‘sound’, and an entire movement in music history: the post-punk / New Wave scene of Manchester in late 70s and early 80s. It truly ‘vibed’. The support for the sale from both New Order and collectors was amazing. Achieving £162,563, it more than doubled its estimate, and set a world record for a piece of punk memorabilia at auction.

Bonhams is now inviting consignments to the Pop x Culture sale on 11 November, and the Rock, Pop & Film auction on 17 November. To request a valuation, contact Claire at claire.tolemoir@bonhams.com.