John Lindell, Private Investor

You just told me you’re very jet lagged. Did you fly in for the event?

Yeah I did, from Finland. 

How do you feel about the arts scene in Finland versus New York?

Well, the arts scene in Finland is very quiet. It’s a small country with 5.5 million people, so there aren’t that many collectors. 

Is collecting something you’re interested in? 

I’ve been collecting design and art since 1980, 1981.

What are some of your favorite pieces you’ve collected? 

I suppose Roy Lichtenstein, Sean Scully, Peter Halley, Andy Warhol, Antoni Tàpies. Those are a few that come to mind.

Can you tell us about how you dress every day? Because you look very chic. 

It’s not something I think of very much. It just comes naturally. I just opened my wardrobe, and I’m always in a hurry, so I don’t really have time to consider it. I’m sorry to disappoint you.

That’s very surprising, given the way you’re dressed right now. I think you look great.

Thank you. You’re very kind.

What brought you to art in the first place?

When I was a teenager, I was very into photography and, at some stage, it evolved into art and collecting art. I mean, both have a visual aspect, obviously.

Is photography something you still practice? 

Not so much. Because now everyone has a cell phone with a camera. Photography has changed a lot. Back in the old days, you had to take your film to a laboratory and it took a week before you were able to see the results.