LISA +
STEVE LIEBERMAN
Clockwise from top left: Wifredo Lam (1902–1982), Up in the Air, 1962, oil on canvas, 51. 5 x 38. 37 in.; Wifredo Lam (1902–1982), Friends of the Land, 1964, oil
on canvas, 19. 75 x 27. 62 in.; Roy Lichtenstein, Wrapping Paper, 1968, courtesy of Alden Projects. Opposite: Lisa and Steve Lieberman; Wilfredo Lam, Composition
(Femme Cheval), 1973, oil on canvas, 21. 5 x 18 in.
What do you enjoy most about the Dallas Art Fair?
One of our favorite things about the Dallas Art Fair is the vast
range of art and artists that it exposes us to and provides us the
opportunity to easily explore. We only buy pieces that we really like,
and we do not do any homework before the show. However, once
we identify pieces we are interested in, we get the full download.
Is there a favorite artist or gallerist you look forward to
seeing?
We discovered Wilfredo Lam at the 2013 Dallas Art Fair
and immediately connected with the first piece we focused on—
Composition, 1973. We have always gravitated to Modernist and
Cubist art, with our favorite artists being Picasso and Tamayo. The
same goes for our collection—with our favorite pieces ranging
from Picasso etchings to a Calatrava sculpture. The Lam painting
certainly fits right in. Lam was a protégé of Picasso with a very
interesting Cuban Chinese heritage and unique hybrid style, all of
which is reflected in his works and combines into very interesting
pieces.
Do you have an artwork in mind that you are already
considering this year?
The piece we are most interested in seeing at the upcoming
fair is Lam's Amigos de la Tierra. We have learned a lot about Lam's
works over the past couple of years. We have developed a nice
relationship with Sergio Cernuda from Cernuda Arte, and he has
become a preferred dealer for us in the process.
That said, we are totally open to other artists and paths—one of
the things we really enjoy about the exposure that DAF provides.
When are you ready to make a purchase?
We are definitely quick decision and dealmakers, so typically
soon after finding a piece and zeroing in on its value, it is in our
home. Sometimes we have a target space in our home that we’re
aiming to find a piece for; however, when we find a piece we like,
we shift gears and think about where it would go best.
Advice to the new collector?
The best way to start collecting is buying pieces that you
connect with and would really enjoy having in your home or office,
and then use these works as a catalyst to start identifying and
learning about the aspects that you are attracted to. As you start to
make more meaningful investments, continue to do the same and
engage the expertise of a trusted dealer or advisor to guide you in
new directions.
After many busy years of raising children in addition to varied civic and charitable involvements, Lisa and Steve Lieberman have now found an interest in the art
world in the area of Cuban and Latin American art.
