Collectors Profile

We were thrilled with the opportunity to meet with Artist/Designer/Educator

Timothy Siciliano and Nutritional Scientist Lewis Chang to chat about their

approach to collecting art in their beautiful Seattle home.
Timothy Siciliano and Lewis Chang at their home in the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle.

What’s on your wishlist to
collect next?

“I’m sure Lewis has his eye on something.

He is definitely more strategic than I am.

I am more spontaneous.“

– Timothy Siciliano
Q & A

Q: When/where did you meet and how long have you been together?

A: We won’t disclose where we met – but around fifteen years of happiness.

Q: How many pieces do you estimate to be in your art collection?

A: One hundred plus. Our art ranges from thrift store gems, Mexican

arts and crafts, contemporary Northwest artists, Native American artists,

contemporary African and Asian artists, Aboriginal artists –

we’re global in our view of art.
Q: As collectors, how does living with a piece of art affect your daily life?

A: We refer to our art as family. When we purchase a new piece we say

we have a “new family member.”

Q: What do you do with works you are no longer interested in?

A: We rotate – we try to find room for all the family members.

Q: Are there any works that you no longer have room for or wish

to move on from?

A: So far we have no family members itching to leave our nest.

Q: What is your personal “tried-and-true” philosophy on collecting

art you would pass on to new collectors?

A: Buy what you love. Be spontaneous, be strategic, look and look and

look at art from all over the world and in every genre, all the time.

The more you see, the more you will learn what grabs you and the

more your appetite broadens.
Q: What is it like collecting as a couple? How do you decide on a piece?

A: Timothy: It’s a blast! We love enjoying art together. Sometimes we

both just love a piece at the same time. Other times I’m all set on a piece

and Lewis brings me down to earth (where would that go? we can’t afford

this right now, etc.). Other times I do that for him. And then other times,

well, a piece of art just shows up. Surprise Timothy! Look what I bought!

-or- Surprise Lewis! Look what I bought!

So far we haven’t done anything too out of line.
Timothy Siciliano is a fabulous artist and designer. This image is from a recent solo exhibition at Studio E Gallery in Georgetown, Seattle. image by James Arzente Photography.