ISBN—0-7710-0473-7
Sammlung Szabo
THE SZABO COLLECTION – Multiples, Reflection and Context
The Szabo Collection is dedicated to multiples as an independent artistic practice—understood as a medium of distribution, accessibility, and social resonance. Rather than treating unique works as exclusive status objects, it shifts the focus to what art sets in motion: the questions it raises, the ways it affects us, and the social and personal reflections it opens.
With over 100 works—from Joseph Beuys’ expanded concept of art and Jenny Holzer’s text-based interventions to the material and conceptual explorations of Alicja Kwade and Gerhard Richter—the collection functions as a living archive. Many of the works are closely tied to the collector’s biography, reflecting experiences, boundaries, power structures, and questions of identity.
Editions and multiples are not substitutes, but a deliberate choice of format. They enable artistic positions to extend beyond narrow institutional and economic frameworks, making them more widely accessible. The Szabo Collection is guided by a central question: How can artistic positions be brought together so that their meanings become visible, effective, and shareable—demonstrating that relevance arises from selection and perspective, not financial power.
Sammlung Szabo
Robert Alexander Szabo
robert@sammlung-szabo.com
It is not housed in a spectacular building, nor does the collector have an inheritance to enable him to pursue this very costly and time-consuming passion.
The editions he has collected have been financed by tips Szabo received during his time as waiter in hotels and restaurants around the world.
Inspired by the idea that ‘art for all’ should be taken literally, Szabo began purchasing editions in 2004 and, alongside his work in the hotel and restaurant industry, began to explore art and its history.
He collects editions of well-known and new works, which are much more affordable than unique pieces. The purchase of art is democratised and thus stands in contrast to the art market, which is otherwise perceived as elitist.
‘It's just as important for me to be at openings to see the latest works by artists in galleries. I just fall back on the editions,’ says the collector.
The collection specialises in prints and graphics, but videos, LPs, sound works and NFTs have also found their way into it.
The collection, which has grown to over 100 works, aims to encourage others to engage with art. In order to show the works publicly, exhibitions are planned at various locations in Berlin at irregular intervals.
Hans Krestel
“In addition to painting and sculpture, as representatives of classical art genres, his collection also includes works from less established artistic media, such as textiles, crossover and sound works. Closely interwoven with Szabo's personality, the artworks address themes such as physicality, ego, memories and metaphysical worlds, and here and there even refer to personal borderline experiences in the collector's life. Socially critical and at the same time life-affirming, self-reflective and boundary-pushing – these are exemplary levels of meaning found in many of his collection pieces”.
Daniela von Damaros
Text Curator
Hans:
hans@heyhans.xyz
Robert
robert@sammlung-szabo
For Robert
2021
190 x 100 cm
Marker on paper
Drop 2
1994
25 x 19 x 10cm
Learn How To Forget To Fly
2015
88 x 40 x 13 cm
Colour spray on Aluminum
22 x 20 x 20cm
Multi Media
Planed
2007
127,5 x 106,5 cm
Selfportait
2008
21,5 x 26cm
Radiogramm
The Mirrors of the Mind
1975
47,5 x 18,4 x 0,3 cm
Screenprint on mirrored acrylic sheet
ICH BIN SO GEIL2020
54 x 34 cm
Acryl, Lack on Mirror
The Thoughts of2016
Vinyl / LP
no title
2008
84 x 68 cm
Pencil, Coffee, Fabric
Mannenbenen
2018
62 x 32cm
Acryl on Mixed Media
Desillusion
2019
19,4 x 19,4 x 3 cm
Mixed Media
Insanely Alive
2022
Vinyl / LP
Toilet Paper Vinyl
2014
Vinyl / LP
Drachen
1967
119 x 83, 5 cm
Silkscreen on PVC, Wood
ACTION
2014
90 x 90 cm
Digital Work
8 x Feuer im Weizen
1970
52 x 34,3 cm
Halfway
2017
52 x 49cm
Photo print alu dibond
N° 200 217
2017
70 x 48 cm
Gilcée
Dogon Tribe
13 x 9x 6 cm
Tête fumé
2016
A4
Photoprint
Push for 21 Milliliters of „Dreams“
Push for 21 Milliliters of „Love“
2015
33 x 48cm
Giclee
1000 Hasen
2021
26 x 18 x 0,8 cm
copper sheet, water jet cutting technique
Baby OW / Baby J2017
14 x 19,5 x 17cm
Epoxy
Shit faith & Thirst
Tracey Emin
Singing Bird
Composition 62
2018
50 x 50 cm
Oil on Canvas
Zwischenraumgespenster 6
1986
40 x 30 cm
Etching
Life is Life #5
2013
60 x 45 cm
Print on Alu dibond
Untitled / The Family Question series
2008
126 x 57cm
Print and Pencil
Little Love Bomb
2011
19 x 14 cm
Polymer resin, silver
I shop therefore I am
1990
44 x 27 cm
Print on paper
Don’t forget to be fabulous
2022
70 x 50 cm
Acryl on paper
LichtZauberer / Glücksbote
2018
50 x 14cm / 57 x 17cm
Chainsaw, candle object, oiled cherry wood, metal, mix media
Herinnering aan Antwerpen (III)
2017
18 x 24 cm
Oil on canvas
Schwarzes Quadrat
2022
66 x 66cm to be extended indefinite
Fabric, metall
NASA Chair -
Barbara Kruger / Anselm Kiefer
2020
81 x 44,5 x 43 cm
Thumbs up
24 x 7 x 17cm
Cast Brass