The Goss-Michael Foundation

DALLAS, TEXAS–Kenny Goss exemplifies how creatives connect with other creatives. His longtime partner, pop star George Michael, had an appreciation for visual artists. As the couple spent a great deal of time in London, they gravitated toward the YBAs (Young British Artists) who rose to prominence in the ’90s. Kenny and George’s investigation into the avant-garde turned into the Goss Gallery (later, The Goss-Michael Foundation) in Dallas. “I became great friends with many types of artists before I purchased their art,” Goss says. “It became my passion.” The collection today includes sculpture by Venice Biennale-exhibited Rachel Whiteread and Tracey Emin; LED light portraits commissioned from Damien Hirst’s professor, Michael Craig Martin, as well as works by Hirst himself; and John Lennon’s Imagine piano.

ART:

Michael Craig-Martin; YBAs (Young British Artists) including Rachel Whiteread, Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Marc Quinn; Joshua Hagler, and John Lennon’s Imagine piano (George Michael’s favorite piece)

CV:

While living in London, Kenny Goss and his longtime partner, pop star George Michael, had an appreciation for and met many of the YBAs who rose to fame during the 1990s due to the patronage of collector Charles Saatchi. The couple would go on to found The Goss-Michael Foundation, which brought the British art scene to Texas.

Q&A:

PC: When you started collecting — and why.

Goss: I started collecting in the early nineties when I met George Michael while living in Los Angeles. We then then spent time living in London, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York. This allowed me to be exposed to so much art. I became great friends with many types of artists and usually knew them as friends before I purchased their art. A great help was our art advisor — Aphrodite Gounou. We had asked many gallery owners and several museum directors for suggestions, and she was the most recommended. Art became my passion in a very short time. I was very fortunate and am thankful to so many people that helped me. 

PC: How your collecting journey has changed in recent years.

Goss: I believe collectors should seriously look at female artist because we must address gender inequality in all areas. The difference in money earned, disproportionate number of women directors in museums, and the representation of women artists in galleries is shockingly low. 

PC: Artworks that are particularly emblematic of your collection.

Goss: It is the piano that John Lennon wrote and recorded Imagine. George said when we bought it “Darling this is the most important art we may ever see, it must be seen by people. We sent it all over the states to places of great tragedies. That tour was hugely successful and had unbelievable press. People are often in tears when they see it. It reminds them of peace and hope. I love it because it reminds me of one line George wrote “We should all be praying for time.” [a lyric from the singers 1990 song Praying for Time]. This is more true now than ever.