The Vancouver Art Gallery is poised to redefine its legacy with the remarkable promised gift of 122 artworks from esteemed local collectors Brigitte and Henning Freybe. This extraordinary donation, decades in the making, reflects the Freybes’ enduring passion for art and their commitment to enriching the cultural fabric of their city.

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A Journey Through Art

Brigitte and Henning Freybe’s collecting journey began in the 1970s. Over five decades, they have amassed a collection that is as diverse as it is profound, encompassing painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, film, and installation art. Their acquisitions represent some of the most significant European and North American artists of the past 50 years, including luminaries such as Carl Andre, Christian Boltanski, Tacita Dean, Frank Stella, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Julie Mehretu. This gift also honours their deep connection to Vancouver, featuring works by celebrated local artists such as Jeff Wall, Rodney Graham, and Beau Dick.

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“The Freybe collection is diverse and wide-ranging—materially, geographically, and conceptually—and at its core, it honours the creativity and knowledge that artists produce,” says Anthony Kiendl, CEO and Executive Director of the Vancouver Art Gallery. “This transformative gift will reshape the Gallery’s holdings, adding significant works by major figures from the contemporary art world.”

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Celebrating the Freybes’ Vision

To commemorate this landmark gift, the Vancouver Art Gallery will present Postcards from the Heart: Selections from the Brigitte and Henning Freybe Collection. Running from April 18 to October 5, 2025, the exhibition will feature over 30 of the Freybes’ most significant pieces. From Rauschenberg’s Sea Cow Treaty (Spread), a sculptural assemblage with a working water feature, to Tara Donovan’s minimalist cube of toothpicks, visitors will experience a stunning array of artistic expressions.

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“Postcards from the Heart represents the joy we have felt in meeting artists and experiencing and collecting art over the years,” say Brigitte and Henning Freybe. “This is an extraordinarily special moment for us to not only see our collection together but to share these significant and visionary artistic voices with Vancouver audiences and beyond.”

The exhibition title draws inspiration from the letters and postcards sent to the Freybes by the artists they have supported, reflecting the deeply personal relationships at the heart of their collection. These treasured mementos symbolize the dialogues and connections that have defined their lives as collectors.

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A Legacy for Generations

Eva Respini, Deputy Director and Director of Curatorial Programs, lauds the Freybes for their discerning eye and fearless approach to collecting. “They are utterly dedicated to artists and their vision, collecting works that most individuals would shy away from due to complexity or challenging content,” Respini notes. “This gift is a testament to their unwavering commitment to the transformative power of art.”

Through Postcards from the Heart and the enduring presence of their collection, Brigitte and Henning Freybe have ensured that their passion for art will inspire and educate generations to come. This transformative gift is not just an addition to the Vancouver Art Gallery’s holdings—it is a celebration of art’s power to connect, provoke, and transform.

 

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer
Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer
Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
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