Stories behind art bought at Root Gallery
And the unexpected ways it connects to the lives of our collectors
Most people who buy from us share the story behind their choice. Sometimes casually, during a studio visit or fair, other times more deliberately, over a coffee in the gallery.
And while we almost never ask, we always listen. These moments, of doubt, recognition, celebration, or simple instinct, tell us something about the role art plays beyond our walls. And we love to hear your stories.
Over the years, we’ve learned that people rarely buy art just because it matches a wall. They buy it because it does something. It marks a memory. It softens a space. It connects. In this blog, we share a few stories from recent years that show how varied and human the reasons behind an acquisition can be. No strategy, no checklist. Just people, their spaces, and the works that stayed with them.
We hope it offers inspiration, or recognition. And if you’d like to share your story, or find a piece that speaks to yours, we’d love to hear from you.
A light counterbalance at work
One client bought a piece by Vera Klaus for her office. Her daily work is intense and emotionally demanding, and she wanted something uplifting to balance that energy. Vera’s playful compositions and use of colour brought exactly the kind of brightness she was looking for.
Vera's works often hover between abstraction and intuition, using bold yet soft shapes to invite both joy and curiosity.
A mirror, but make it art
Someone searching for a mirror in the hallway came across a wall piece by Quinda Verheul. Her sculptural works in layered plexiglass reflect light and movement, and just enough of your own silhouette before leaving the house. Art and function met in one surprising gesture.
Quinda’s work explores transparency, layering, and reflection, often drawing inspiration from landscape and topography.
Art to celebrate a union
This year alone, multiple couples chose a painting by Donald Schenkel as a wedding gift, or received one. Donald’s atmospheric compositions, often tied to shared memories of travel or landscape, make his work a poetic way to mark new chapters.
Donald creates meditative, abstract paintings rooted in colour theory, memory, and spatial rhythm.
A farewell gift
When a beloved colleague left a company, a group of coworkers gifted her a painting by Karen van de Vliet. A small, vivid work that offered both warmth and presence. It felt personal, lasting, and struck a balance between energy and quietude in her next chapter.
Karen van de Vliet’s artistic practice is centred around the beauty of imperfection. Her sculptural paintings - often inspired by weathered surfaces, water, and chance gestures - explore texture, rhythm, and colour.
Starting small (but intentionally)
One collector came to Root Gallery looking for something modest, a starting point for a wall of small works. She chose a piece by Saïd Kinos, whose layered compositions in text and colour opened the door for further collecting, one careful step at a time.
Saïd's work merges language and abstraction, exploring rhythm, urban aesthetics, and visual culture.
Art in the boardroom
A beautiful hotel recently installed two works by Vera Klaus in their meeting room. Her balance of abstraction and warmth created a space that felt less formal, more welcoming, while still maintaining a sense of energy and focus.
Vera Klaus’s work resonates with viewers through its use of uplifting colours, layered textures, and intuitive mark-making. She captures feelings of spontaneity and joy, turning simple impressions into radiant visual experiences.
Why not both?
A couple stood in front of two works by Lisette Schumacher, hesitating between them. The mood, the colour, the scale, both felt just right. In the end, they bought both. Some decisions don’t need to be made.
Lisette's paintings often draw from modern architecture, translating spatial harmony and sunlight into colour and form.
Curious to explore more?
Browse available works online or visit the gallery. We’re here to help you find a piece that fits your story, and stays with you.
Whether you're looking for a thoughtful gift, a bold statement, or something that simply makes you feel more at home, Root Gallery offers contemporary artworks with lasting meaning.
From colourful abstractions to sculptural wall pieces, our artists bring something personal to every space.
We believe art should be felt before it’s analysed, and we’re here to help you find what resonates.
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