The Miami based Rubell Family Collection is regarded as one of the top
200 collections in the world and possibly the most comprehensive survey
of contemporary art in the U.S. Currently directed by former Cape Town
gallerist and artist Mark Coetzee, the collection has been housed in a
40,000 square foot facility in Miami, FL since 1996.
The collection of over 5000 works seeks to represent every major influence
in contemporary art of the past 30 years. Don and Mera Rubell and their
children Jason and Jennifer all collectively curate the impressive collection.
They have acquired important works by such artists as Paul McCarthy, Charles
Ray, Peter Halley, Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, Damian Hirst and Purvis
Young to name a few. Many of the artists were discovered by the Rubells
while in their emerging or undiscovered stages throughout the U.S., Europe,
Asia, Africa and Latin America. It is also significant that the Rubells
seek to gather multiple works from throughout an artists career as opposed
to simply acquiring one or two representative pieces.
The Rubells are heirs to Don’s brother Steve Rubell of Studio
54 fame. They settled in Miami for their hotel business and have become
an integral part of the South Florida arts community. In 2001, approximately
22,000 visitors came to see their private museum. A new, larger space
is currently in the works to even better showcase the ever-growing collection
of who’s-who’s and who-will-be-who’s of contemporary
art.
The Rubell art collection is located at 95 Northwest 29th
Street in Miami. The exhibit, which is changed twice a year, is open Wednesday
through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for students, seniors and anyone under
18. Special tours can be arranged at other times. For more information, call
(305) 573-6090 or inquire via e-mail at rubellcollection@mindspring.com
