Gray Keller’s art is his life
It’s a sweltering afternoon in Lake Nona, Florida where philanthropist, art collector and author, Dr. Gray Keller lives. Every so often a colony of noisy gulls fly by interrupting our conversation. Keller tells me he’s not a great self-promoter when it comes to the books he’s written about philanthropic leadership, and he doesn’t like being the center of attention. But when the conversation veers towards his contemporary art collection, Keller instantly becomes passionate and animated.
“I think there’s something very powerful about visual art,” he remarks.
“A great piece of artwork will automatically impact the viewer.”
Keller, who is 44 years old, and his wife Dixie, have been collecting art for more than 15 years- and the scope of pieces they have acquired is exceptionally diverse, from sculptures in bronze, aluminum, and steel to LED and video installations, to oil paintings, ink drawings, works in charcoal and oil wash, Keller notes he is interested in art that is not only creative and varied but also impactful.
“A great piece of art will comfort the afflicted and can simultaneously afflict the comfortable,” he often says.
Among their varied collection, the Kellers own a gigantic Damien Hirst with actual dead butterflies fixed on painted canvas and a unique piece by Kehinde Wiley, who was commissioned to paint the President Barack Obama portrait currently on display at Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
While they have loaned several pieces of their collection to a local Orlando museum, Keller and his wife are still surrounded by a plethora of art. “Our life is filled with art- we have it everywhere in our home, “ he says.
They have numerous sculptures by iconic pop artists including a HOPE piece by Robert Indiana, a signature colorful heart sculpture by Brazilian born, Romero Britto, and a Jeff Koon balloons red rabbit made from porcelain. They also own a small sculpture by Columbian artist Fernando Botero, whose is known for his oversized, rotund human figures.
To add to the list of the Kellers’ significant collection are paintings by Warhol and Jackson Pollock, and an original by British artist and author, Harland Miller. Their collection also includes a small canvas by Keith Haring, an original Jean- Michel Basquiat, a Mr. Brainwash (Thierry Guetta) piece and a monoprint by multi-media artist, Tracey Emin.
Keller’s love for art goes beyond admiration: he himself is a painter and to date he has created over 250 pieces of his own. It’s no surprise that his art passion was fostered at a young age- he took art classes for years, but he wasn’t always interested in collecting.
“I heard a speaker once say that the art on your walls says a lot about who you are,” he recounts. “I realized then that I needed to change our art.”
Dixie and Keller with Kehinde Wiley’s “The Rosary of the Madonna”
And he did just that. Keller began to delve into the world of contemporary art and is thankful to his friends, equity fund manager, Bruce R. Berkowitz- the founder and CEO of Fairholme Capital Management- and his wife Tracey, for inspiring him to pursue his passion for contemporary art collecting. The Berkowitzs, who are influential art collectors in their own right, are planning to open a private museum in Miami.
When Keller is not writing his next book on living life philanthropically, devoting his time volunteering, or serving on various boards -including Danita’s Children, an international charity that helps at-risk children and families in Haiti- he diligently researches art and speaks daily with galleries and auction houses all over the world. He also regularly attends Art Basel Miami.
Keller makes it a point to bond with artists whose pieces he owns. “Sometimes I will strategize with different artists who are thinking of doing something new,” he explains. “I also try to connect them with individuals who can help them.”
One year, during Art Basel week, Keller befriended New York-based photorealistic artist CJ Hendry from Australia and acquired a piece of hers entitled From Paris With Love –which references the 2015 Paris gun massacre. The Berkowitzs also introduced Keller to mixed- media artist Steven Gagnon, who has become a close friend of Keller’s. Whether he is playing tennis with Jefre Manuel, a local artist who creates massive architectural art installations in America and abroad, or hosting artist Romero Britto for dinner, Keller thoroughly enjoys the camaraderie of his artistic friends.
Keller and CJ Hendry at a NEXUS Art Lab on anti-gun violence
With degrees in philosophy, theology and leadership, Keller has put his experience to use during his speaking engagements at the NEXUS art lab, where he has discussed how art is a medium for healing and education. The lab is part of the NEXUS Global Summit on innovative philanthropy and social entrepreneurship and also features visiting artists present on various social and humanitarian issues, like sculptor Marco Cochrane, known for his large-scale sculptures of the female body who uses his art as a way of bringing awareness to the sexual exploitation of women. At another lab session, CJ Hendry reflected on her work during another lab session, after the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting and discussed the problem of increased gun violence in America and across the globe.
Keller’s passion for art transcends the ordinary. He calls his eclectic art collection inspirational. “It’s like having a piece of the artist’s soul when you collect art,” he adds.
Born into a family of givers, Keller considers himself lucky and “blessed” in his life to be able to take on an active role in the world of art. His second book, Bless focuses on “how to be a blessing to whomever you encounter.”
Keller admires his mother, Beverly Tye, for teaching him at a young age what true philanthropy is – she works with the homeless and often invites them for a meal and clean clothes. Keller’s wife is equally generous with her time and resources and has been instrumental in creating a program at a local hospital where volunteers help provide end of life care and support for those in need.
Keller wakes up each day and thinks about how he can help others., whether that includes financial support to charities through his family foundation or connecting emerging artists with his friends in the art world. Philanthropy his way of life.
The book he’s working on examines the nature of philanthropy and what it means to be “wealthy beyond money”.
“I want to be generous with my time, I want to be generous with my wisdom, and I want to be generous with any knowledge I may have. I want to help others flourish.”
This article by Rena Godfrey appeared in the Winter 2019 issue of Lifestyles Magazine.
Photos courtesy of Gray Keller