The JPMorgan Chase Art Collection has become one of the world’s most established corporate collections. The adventurous spirit that sparked its original vision of “art at work” glows brightly today as the Collection presents works by international artists who are shaping the future through their innovation and creative vision.
Charlotte: This is a painting by Sam Francis, who was an emerging artist. David Rockefeller visited him in his studio in 1959, so it’s a really fabulous work and a foundational artwork in the collection. It was acquired in 1961 for a flagship Chase branch. The art collection was founded by David Rockefeller. He had a vision that “Art at Work,” which is what he called the art collection and program, would elevate the experience of people that work at the bank, and also those who come and do business with us. David Rockefeller believed that art would inspire people to think in a more creative way to approach their work kind of energized by the vision of other people. And artists have a way of opening our eyes and helping us see the world through a different lens. There are lots of examples in the early 1960s of David Rockefeller and the art committee that he worked with identifying artists who were not known and they were African American artists, they were women artists, all different backgrounds and cultures working in a variety of media. The art collection is a catalyst for connection. It connects our clients, our colleagues and our communities. So for six decades, this collection has been a point of contact and a real culture carrier in our company because it’s always focused on emerging artists. The idea that artists are at the pulse of what’s happening in our culture, in our country and all over the world. It reflects the global vision of our company and recognizes that artists are an important part of the creative economy. Our company is very committed to diversity of all kinds to this day and it’s a big commitment that we have. We walk the walk, and we talk the talk. This is an artist, Neil Goldberg, who lives and works in New York, whose practice is really quite diverse. This is a recent acquisition. It’s called Other People’s Prescriptions and it’s a way of kind of metaphorically and literally inviting you to see the world through someone else’s eyes. So the collection really has kind of every example of painting, sculpture, photography, increasingly digital and video art. So, it’s a very multidimensional collection, and it also reflects our focuses on modern and contemporary art. This is a painting by Joan Mitchell, a woman artist made in 1959, acquired for the collection in 1960. She’s an artist who in recent decades has, after her death, gained a tremendous amount of notoriety and reputation. It’s a very different time now than it was in 1959, when David Rockefeller established the Art Collection, and my team and our predecessors have always held up that legacy. It truly inspires us every day. END Side note: Soft synth music plays. On screen: A montage shows colorful abstract oil paintings and black and white photographs. Text on screen: The JPMorgan Chase Art Collection - Then and Now. On screen: A woman dressed in black, with light, shoulder-length hair and stylish tortoise shell glasses, Charlotte Eyerman, speaks to the viewer. She stands next to a vibrant, long, wall-sized painting. Charlotte: This is a painting by Sam Francis, who was an emerging artist. David Rockefeller visited him in his studio in 1959, so it’s a really fabulous work and a foundational artwork in the collection. On screen: The enormous piece of abstract expressionism artwork features broad, bold brushstrokes of brilliant yellow, white, blue, and red. Text on screen: Sam Francis (American, 1923–1994), Chase Manhattan Bank Mural (Drapeau American), 1959, Oil on canvas, Acquired in 1961, JPMorgan Chase Art Collection. Charlotte: It was acquired in 1961 for a flagship Chase branch. On screen: An archival black and white photo shows the striking painting along the wall of a mid-twentieth century bank lobby. Text on screen: Chase Manhattan Bank branch, 410 Park Avenue, 1961. On screen: Close-up of Ms. Eyerman. Text on screen: Charlotte Eyerman, Director & Chief Curator at JPMorgan Chase. Charlotte: The art collection was founded by David Rockefeller. He had a vision that “Art at Work,” which is what he called the art collection and program, would elevate the experience of people that work at the bank, and also those who come and do business with us. Side note: Cheerful guitar chords play. On screen:
A vintage photograph of David Rockefeller appears, with the accompanying quote: “I think of art as the highest level of creativity. To me, it is one of the greatest sources of enjoyment.”
-David Rockefeller.
Charlotte:
David Rockefeller believed that art would inspire people to think in a more creative way…
On screen:
A montage of archival images show David Rockefeller, with explanatory text accompanying them, including Rockefeller at his large desk, reviewing paintings, and looking at a constructivist abstract sculpture.
Text on screen:
David Rockefeller, 1960,
Chase Manhattan Art Committee, November 1966,
David Rockefeller & Dorothy Miller, MOMA Curator, November 1966.
Charlotte:
… to approach their work kind of energized by the vision of other people.
On screen:
A video clip shows a bearded man, with colorful fingernails cutting strips of fabric and smiling.
Text on screen:
Artist Basil Kincaid (American born, 1986),
Inaugural JPMorgan Chase residency, Art at Work Live,
April 2018.
Charlotte:
And artists have a way of opening our eyes and helping us see the world through a different lens.
Text on screen:
The extensive collection built up over 60 years is on view throughout our corporate spaces in 60 countries.
On screen:
An archival black and white photograph shows David Rockefeller sitting with other well-dressed executives.
Text on screen:
Chase Manhattan Bank Art Committee,
May 1964.
Charlotte:
There are lots of examples in the early 1960s of David Rockefeller and the art committee that he worked with identifying artists who were not known…
On screen:
A video clip shows three large framed black and white photographs of a woman wearing a large veiled hat, a woman fastening the small buttons of her garment, and a woman with long gloves and wearing a dress of thick-folded fabric.
Text on screen:
Dario Calmese (American, born 1981),
no. 35, 120, 97 and 64, Archival pigments print, 2012,
Acquired in 2018, JPMorgan Chase Art Collection,
Courtesy of the artist and projects + gallery.
Charlotte:
…and they were African American artists, they were women artists, all different backgrounds and cultures working in a variety of media.
On screen:
A woman with short dark hair, Lucia Hierro, creates mixed-medium artwork, using fabric, photos, and advertisem*nts on paper.
Text on screen:
Lucia Hierro (American, born 1987),
Dominican-American artist Lucia Hierro working in her studio.
Charlotte:
The art collection is a catalyst for connection. It connects our clients, our colleagues and our communities.
On screen:
A black and white photograph shows an art gallery within the large lobby of a bank with a high ceiling.
Text on screen:
Chase Manhattan Bank Soho Branch exhibition,
1985.
Charlotte:
So for six decades, this collection has been a point of contact and a real culture carrier in our company because it’s always focused on emerging artists. The idea that artists are at the pulse of what’s happening in our culture, in our country and all over the world.
On screen:
A black and white painting shows two gloved hands holding a person’s waste adorned with a flower. Then, a color painting of an icy mountain displays white smooth snow contrasting with deep black, jagged rocks.
Text on screen:
Rob Reynolds (American, born 1966),
Most Painted Mountain (Sperry Glacier), 2016,
Oil, alkyd and ink on canvas,
Acquired in 2018, JPMorgan Chase Art Collection,
@ Rob Reynolds.
Charlotte:
It reflects the global vision of our company and recognizes that artists are an important part of the creative economy.
On screen:
An archival black and white photo shows a room with tables filled with art objects, including sculptures, paintings, a model totem pole, vases, busts, and a model ship.
Text on screen:
Chase Manhattan Bank Art Program,
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, Storage Room,
1961.
Charlotte:
Our company is very committed to diversity of all kinds to this day…
On screen:
A black and white photo shows a smiling woman wearing a hat with umbrella-like spokes extending out in a large circle.
Charlotte:
…and it’s a big commitment that we have. We walk the walk, and we talk the talk.
On screen:
Two glitter-covered footballs stand on display in a white room.
Text on screen:
Sheldon Scott (American, born 1976),
Exorcism of the Sweet (silver), 2018,
Exorcism of the Sweet (pink), 2018,
Glitter, leather, poly, glue,
Acquired in 2018, JPMorgan Chase Art Collection,
Copyright Sheldon Scott.
Charlotte:
This is an artist, Neil Goldberg, who lives and works in New York, whose practice is really quite diverse. This is a recent acquisition. It’s called Other People’s Prescriptions…
On screen:
Eight color pictures show people wearing glasses. The pictures are photographed from behind the subjects, allowing a glimpse through their corrective lenses.
Text on screen:
Neil Goldberg (American, born 1963),
Other Peoples’ Prescriptions, 2018,
Suite of 8 inkjet prints on archival paper,
Acquired in 2018, JPMorgan Chase Art Collection,
Courtesy the artist and Cristin Tierney Gallery, New York.
Charlotte:
…and it’s a way of kind of metaphorically and literally inviting you to see the world through someone else’s eyes. So the collection really has kind of every example of painting, sculpture, photography, increasingly digital and video art.
On screen:
A video clip shows a huge piece of artwork displayed in a corporate building. The piece is an abstract portrait of a person in a large head-wrap. The artwork is rendered with red fabric, interwoven with a wall-sized photograph.
Text on screen:
Kyle Meyer (American, born 1985),
Unidentified 135, 2018,
Archival pigment print hand woven with wax print fabric,
Acquired in 2018, JPMorgan Chase Art Collection,
Copyright Kyle Meyer.
Charlotte:
So, it’s a very multidimensional collection, and it also reflects our focuses on modern and contemporary art.
On screen:
An abstract oil painting displays heavy, dark brush strokes combining to form a large central mass, surrounded by lighter brush strokes.
Text on screen:
Joan Mitchell (American, 1925–1992),
Slate, Oil on canvas, 1959,
Acquired in 1960, JPMorgan Chase Art Collection,
Copyright Estate of Joan Mitchell.
Charlotte:
This is a painting by Joan Mitchell, a woman artist made in 1959, acquired for the collection in 1960. She’s an artist who in recent decades has, after her death, gained a tremendous amount of notoriety and reputation.
On screen:
An archival photo shows David Rockefeller looking at a two-tone circular polygon sculpture.
Text on screen:
David Rockefeller with art,
November 1966.
Charlotte:
It’s a very different time now than it was in 1959, when David Rockefeller established the Art Collection, and my team and our predecessors have always held up that legacy.
On screen:
Ms. Eyerman and a young woman with black hair walk through a gallery featuring pieces from the JPMorgan Chase Art Collection.
Charlotte:
It truly inspires us every day.
Logo:
J.P.Morgan.
Side note:
Legal disclosures appear.
Text on screen:
This video/material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and it is not an offer or solicitation for any product or service. The individual views expressed are those of the speakers/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of J.P. Morgan, or any of its affiliates or employees. Copyright 2019 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved.
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