As the LA-based founder of the social media brand Friday Heaters, the former musician creates artist interviews and exhibition tours for the TikTok generation. He collects work by young artists—and serves on the board of directors for non-profit Los Angeles Nomadic Division—with the same verve, curiosity, and enthusiasm he brings to his videos.

What was the first work you ever bought?

Technically, a photograph—some might call it a “poster”—of a skateboarder at my elementary school book fair. That may have been more about my love for skateboarding than the photograph, though.

Describe your art collection in three words.

Challenging: I’ve often been drawn to the creative fringes. I toured in indie bands throughout my 20s and 30s, making music that wasn’t always easy to follow. There’s a bit of that spirit in my approach to collecting art, too.

Spirited: I love attaching my own stories and memories to the work in my collection. Art collectors surround ourselves with all this raw stuff that humans create. I want to believe there’s some power and life force that lives on in those creations.

Cozy: There are aspects of my collection that reflect a feeling of comfort. I have become friends with many of the artists I’ve collected, so seeing their work around my home gives me a sense of togetherness and community.

Which work in your collection provokes the most conversation from visitors?

I have to go with the fluorescent glass vitrine by Max Hooper Schneider. Max’s work universally inspires conversation from people, whether they love or despise it. I happen to be a massive fan of his, and it’s been fun to share his art with those in my life who have no connection to the art world. He is a wonderful gateway.

What work in your home have you spent the most time staring at?

A painting by Rosha Yaghmai from her “Afterimage” series, painted on several layers of organza and cotton. The final surface has this hallucinatory shimmer, a reflective sparkle that changes in the light as you move around it. My eyes have never dulled to it.

Do you see collecting as an extension of skills you’ve honed in your day job, or an escape from them?

My collecting has definitely been influenced by my work on Friday Heaters. There’s no question that interviewing incredible artists, gallerists, and curators has developed my eye, giving me a wealth of knowledge to use when collecting art.

Painting:  Mario Ayala, “WARNING, It Be’s That Way, Los Angeles”, 2023

Sculpture: Olga Balema, “Loop 112”, 2023

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