Tastemaker Times - Protecting Your Collection and Celebrating Bold Voices
Your weekly guide to culture, art market insights, and the future of art collecting
In this week’s edition, we explore the ongoing issue of art theft and how collectors can protect themselves in an increasingly complex market. We also spotlight two remarkable artists: Nia Winslow, whose layered collage work continues the cultural dialogue shaped by Kerry James Marshall and Faith Ringgold, and Elaine de Kooning, a pivotal figure in Abstract Expressionism whose work helped make the movement more accessible while challenging gender barriers in the art world.
Featured Artist of the Week: Nia Winslow
Brooklyn-based artist Nia Imani Winslow is a self-taught collage artist originally from Washington, D.C. Inspired by Romare Bearden, Kerry James Marshall, Faith Ringgold, and Jacob Lawrence, Winslow uses layered paper cuttings to illuminate the complexity and vitality of Black life. Her practice centers on themes of self-love and inventiveness, using collage as both personal storytelling and collective memory-making.
Her work has garnered national attention with features in Colossal, Vogue, Artsy, Harvard Business Review, and Art Seen: The Curator’s Salon Magazine. Each composition is both a singular vision and part of a broader exploration of the African and Black diaspora through bold, textured forms.
For special inquiries, please contact Mamadou Ndiaye at mamadou@thetimbucktoo.com.
Art Market Pulse: Art Theft
This past Sunday, four masked men broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris and stole priceless jewels in broad daylight — a scandal that has dominated international headlines. While it may seem like a rare occurrence, the unfortunate reality is that the illicit art market is a significant global issue.
The FBI estimates that art crime is worth $4–6 billion annually, roughly 7–10 percent of the global art market valued at around $58 billion. Counterfeit and trafficked works represent a large portion of global art sales.
Why This Matters
As a lover of art, it is important to protect yourself from becoming entangled in the trade of illicit art. Participating in this market undermines the artists who create, and the collectors and curators who preserve culture. Always verify the origin, authenticity, and ownership history of any work before purchasing. Protecting the integrity of your collection protects the integrity of the art world itself.
Timbucktoo Tastemakers: DUMBO House
This past Thursday we partnered with Henfie and Gidi Gengg to curate a panel discussion exploring how art and music serve as powerful mediums for storytelling. The event brought together experts from across the visual and musical arts:
Emmanuel Mensah Agbeble (APMWorld) – Celebrity photographer and documentarian
Akiya McKnight – Art advisor, curator, and podcaster
Selectah Spadez – Sound architect and audio expert
Moderator: Tylan Deputy – Visual artist and gallerist (Poise)
The evening included a first look at APMWorld’s documentary Stolen From the Gold Coast, a thoughtful conversation that left the audience inspired, followed by a live set from Selectah Spadez.
Timbucktoo’s Collectors Club: The Best Club on Earth
Navigating the world of fine art can be overwhelming, from the sheer number of artists and galleries to the perception that one must come from a certain background to belong. Timbucktoo exists to challenge that notion.
Our Collectors Club is designed to empower new and seasoned collectors alike, with pillars of education, community, and access. Members can work with an art advisor, attend exclusive events, and build connections with like-minded collectors.
If you are interested in unique experiences like these, alongside a community of art lovers and collectors, we invite you to apply to join the Collectors Club.
Community Spotlight: Zakiya Sims & Ana Arias-Gonzalez
Zakiya and Ana are two women whose stories intersect in meaningful ways. Friends for a decade, both are native New Yorkers, both have built careers in tech, and both are driven by the desire to make an impact.
Ana focuses on curating sensory experiences through vinyl listening sessions that create deeper connections to music and community. Zakiya, the new brand owner of Noir Brewing, focuses on creating and distributing unique brews that bring people together and spark conversation.
The two recently collaborated on their first pop-up at Abeja Coffee in Brooklyn — an intimate gathering of drinks, music, and conversation. A special shoutout to these two Founding Members of the Collectors Club.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
We are constantly exploring new exhibitions, shows, and opportunities to engage with the art world. Here are some ways to connect with the Timbucktoo community:
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design
📅 Saturday, November 1
Academy Award winning costume designer presents wardrobes from films like films like Black Panther, Coming 2 America, and Do the Right Thing at the African American Museum of Philadelphia.
👉 RSVP HereAmy Sherald: American Sublime Exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art
📅 Sunday, November 2
Museum exhibit of Sherald’s exhibit reimagining the American dream
👉 RSVP HereHarlem’s Influence
📅 Saturday, November 8
Opening reception of *Harlem’s Influence*, a solo exhibition by DaQuane Cherry at Artfullwalls Gallery
👉 RSVP HereGrand Reopening of the Studio Museum in Harlem
📅 Saturday, November 15
The grand reopening of Studio Museum, free exhibitions and festival.
👉 RSVP Here
Collector’s Insight:
In light of our Art Market Pulse on art theft, it is important to understand how to protect your collection. The answer begins with securing fine art insurance.
Just five days ago, Pablo Picasso’s miniature gouache Naturaleza muerta con guitarra (Still Life with Guitar) went missing while being transported from Madrid to Granada. The work belonged to a private collector.
If your artwork is ever stolen, immediately file a police report and then contact your insurance provider. File a claim as soon as possible, your policy will typically cover the insured value, determined by your most recent appraisal. Keeping appraisals current is essential.
While insurance cannot replace the emotional loss of an artwork, it can protect your financial investment and help maintain the strength of your collection.
Past Masters: Elaine de Kooning
Elaine de Kooning (American, 1918–1989) was a painter, writer, and art critic who bridged Abstract Expressionism and figurative painting. A vital force in the New York art scene, she contributed both through her own vibrant work and by championing fellow artists through writing and curatorial efforts. Her paintings fused gestural abstraction with intimate portraiture, capturing both motion and emotion.
Her art, marked by loose and energetic brushstrokes, vivid color, and immediacy, often depicted portraits, bulls, and athletes. These works explore strength, movement, and the human spirit.
Why They Matter
Elaine de Kooning’s renewed recognition mirrors a broader reevaluation of women in postwar art history. Her ability to bridge abstraction and realism continues to inspire contemporary artists such as Jenny Saville and Jordan Casteel, who also explore gesture and identity.
Collector’s Note
Interest in Elaine de Kooning’s work continues to grow as museums and collectors highlight her role in Abstract Expressionism. Her portraits and bull series are in increasing demand for their artistic merit and historical significance.
Join the Conversation
Thank you for reading this week’s edition of Timbucktoo Tastemakers Times. If you’re interested in gaining deeper insight into collector strategies, access to insider reports on the next generation of blue-chip artists, or invitations to exclusive art experiences, consider upgrading your membership. And if there are stories or artists you’d like to see featured, drop a comment below — we’d love to hear from you.