The Art of Oppulence
Artist and globally acclaimed creative leader Anthony Wolch tells us how he creates luxury in his work and everyday life.
Living Luxe (LL): What does living luxuriously mean to you?
Anthony Wolch (AW): Great question. To me, living luxuriously means both creating and collecting experiences that evoke a deep emotional resonance. To live with love and never-ending gratitude, even in the quietest moments. To appreciate my ability to travel and spend time with people I love deeply. To take all of the places I have been, the amazing journey I am on, and to apply that passionately to my artistic expression.
LL: How do luxury and extravagance factor into your work?
AW: My art has always moved seamlessly between the simple luxuries of communication—sending out messages of hope and optimism—and celebrating culture and the icons throughout history and in pop culture who have exemplified extravagance in their own unique, creative and artistic ways.
LL: What plays a role in allowing you to live your best life?
AW: Without question, this comes down to decisions—the decision to take care of the mind, the body and the heart and to nourish and pamper aspects of my innerverse that require at times the silence of the sun, and at others the roaring of an ocean. I have slowly, over time, curated a life filled with global adventure, cultural inspiration, and constant education through a vast collection of books and collectibles. Talking to strangers in a foreign country, having a thirst for knowledge, and being on an endless quest for people, places and things that wow me and enrich my life.
LL: What objects do you surround yourself with to inspire and support your everyday growth?
AW: I have a few pieces in my home that I look at every day. I was fortunate to receive a gift of an original piece of Bob Dylan’s art many years ago, and it always reminds me that there are no limits to creativity. While travelling in Uruguay some 20-plus years ago, I met an artist by the name of Carlos Páez Vilaró, who in the 1950s sought out Pablo Picasso in Europe, and eventually became his friend. I have two pieces of Carlos’ work in my home that I purchased directly from the artist, reminding me that if you want something badly enough, the whole world will conspire to help you achieve it. Every second Saturday, I log off for 24 hours, turning off my phone, my constantly buzzing watch and all connections to the electric and digital world—I put on a Panerai Luminor Marina watch that was gifted to me for a birthday years ago, one of the finest examples of Italian craftsmanship, and then I bask in the silence.
LL: How important is it to you to refresh and revitalize either your work or yourself?
AW: I try to revitalize and refresh myself almost every day, waking near sunrise to exercise, and giving thanks. Over the many decades that I’ve been creating original art, my stylistic choices tend to change with my cultural interests. Most often with my art, as has been with previous collections, I investigate how far I can take a particular style, and that usually leads me in a completely new direction. My new collection, PhotoPop25, is comprised of compositions that bring to life the rebellious spirit of pop culture’s greatest iconoclasts. In a world consumed by digital perfection, PhotoPop25 embraces imperfection, nostalgia and the tactile essence of analogue artistry, reminding us that some things are meant to be felt, not just seen.
LL: What would you tell others about living their most luxurious life and how they can strive to be their personal best?
AW: Living luxuriously means something different to everybody. To me, it means being able to create on my own terms and always striving to help others. A portion of every piece of art that I sell as part of my exhibitions always goes to a charity related to helping kids. I believe that the philanthropic aspect of my work is vital to the continuation of my creativity.