Anjli Patel and Parambir Keila’s interest was piqued by Toronto-born, London, UK-based artist Shaan Syed’s abstract painting referencing Islamic architecture. The two talk about their personal connection to this specific work and how, during the COVID pandemic, they acquire it for their home after engaging with the gallery and artist.

Dell and Lauren Pohlman’s collection has grown over 20+ years to focus on conceptual works. Here, they discuss the evolution of their collection and how a video of Sackville-based artist Dave Dyment acquired during the pandemic was the perfect reflection of that time.

Mary Renaud shares her excitement at discovering Vancouver-based artist Angela Teng and Afghani-Canadian artist Hangama Amiri as a result of the RBC Painting Competition. She followed the artists’ production and describes her love at first sight of specific artworks that now grace her home.

L’Heureux explains how his traditional taste shifted toward abstraction and Inuit art. After seeing exhibitions of Montreal-based Haitian-Canadian artist Manual Mathieu, he acquired a diptych that gives him much to ponder. He also speaks about a large-scale drawing by Shuvinai Ashoona that has not made it home yet as it’s included in an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Long-time curator and consultant Pamela Meredith describes a revelation that her collection did not reflect Canada’s diversity, leading her to acquisitions based upon purposeful inclusivity. She speaks about a mixed media artwork by Outaouais-based Algonquin-French artist Caroline Monnet acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic.