Recollection, on display in Gallery 1, showcases works from the collection of writer and art historian Jeremy Cooper, offering his unique perspective on the art of collecting. The exhibition examines the essence of collecting, challenges traditional motivations, and focuses on the personal relationship between collector and artist. It encourages us to reflect on why we collect, what we choose to keep — individually and collectively — and how these choices shape our worlds.

Cooper’s collection differs from the traditional perception of collecting, in which artworks are acquired through galleries or dealers for significant sums of money. Instead, the works on view reflect both Cooper’s tireless, methodical approach to unearthing treasures and the lifelong friendships he has developed in the process. His home, nestled beneath the Quantock Hills in Somerset, is a living gallery filled with works by friends and well-known artists — such as Gavin Turk, Tracey Emin, and Gilbert & George — acquired during moments of shared creativity, conversation, and gratitude. Here, the collection serves as a map of stories — an archive of friendships and appreciation that transcends the usual barriers of the “art world.”

Ship of Fools / The Dockers' Museum, on display in Gallery 2, presents works by artist Allan Sekula (1951–2013), courtesy of the collection of M HKA, the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp.

Influenced by his upbringing near the port of San Pedro in Los Angeles, Sekula explored how technological advancements in shipping reshaped labour and global commerce. As a committed Marxist and anti-war activist, he used photography to critique the commodification of culture and global capitalism, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of dockworkers and labourers. Sekula’s work addresses tensions between art, activism, and social justice, reflecting his own experiences during a period of industrial decline.