Former Giants linebacker Keith Rivers now a big in artwork world

He needs to be a “Giant” in the art entire world too.

Previous Giants linebacker Keith Rivers as soon as gathered sacks, but the 35-calendar year-old retired NFLer — a noted artwork connoisseur for a decade — now desires to open up his personal museum.

His aspiration establishment would characteristic function from artists of coloration and be “like the Barnes Selection,” he explained to Introspective Magazine, referring to the late Dr. Albert C. Barnes’ $20 billion selection in Philadelphia — a person of the most important personal collections in the environment.

Rivers’ noteworthy artwork hoard attributes the functions of Canadian filmmaker-essayist Jon Rafman, Brazilian titan Arjan Martins, and Afro-Caribbean powerhouse Sonia Gomes. Rivers also sits on the boards of many prestigious museums, which includes the Hammer Museum at UCLA and the Hirshhorn in Washington, DC.

“When I initial started out amassing, I was not as critical as I am now. I bought caught up in ‘zombie formalism,’” he explained, referring to the follow of purchasing dear art just since the sector values it. 

Keith Rivers and his art collection at his Hollywood home in Los Angeles
Rivers’ artwork is on show in his Hollywood house.
Brian Guido

“I was getting much more with my ears than with my eyes. Then, I realized I was not performing my have factor. So, I place my time in and started actually wanting at art,” he mentioned.

A leading-10 draft pick out of USC for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008, Rivers also played linebacker for the Buffalo Charges and two seasons (2012, 2013) with the Giants.

In 2009, his rookie yr in the execs, Rivers dipped his toe into the art environment waters, checking out the Museum of Modern-day Artwork to see a Claes Oldenburg exhibition, artnet noted.

It was that display that moved him to receive his 1st piece, an Andy Warhol “Electric Chair” print.

Keith Rivers and his art collection at his Hollywood home in Los Angeles.
Rivers might have retired from football, but continue to will get pumped up for his upcoming art rating.
Brian Guido

An “Electric Chair” silkscreen ink on paper 17 1/2 by 22 5/8 inch print bought in May possibly 2009 by the Phillips auction residence in New York had an estimated benefit of $12,000 to $15,000, but went for $31,000.

Because then, Rivers’ assortment has developed to contain sculptures, paintings and online video operates from dwelling artists John Baldessari, Barbara Kruger, Kerry James Marshall, Rafman and Kara Walker.

“There is no definitive topic for my assortment,” Rivers instructed artnet. “I are likely to appear for artwork that can be in conversation with the other operates I’ve gathered in the course of the many years, or aspire to one particular day accumulate.” 

Rivers took his amassing to a further amount just after attending the annual Swiss breathtaking art fair Basel in 2017.

New York Giants #55 Keith Rivers during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford New Jersey.
Rivers performed two seasons with the Giants.
Charles Wenzelberg/NY Write-up

“Art Basel is like the Super Bowl of art,” Rivers instructed Introspective.

The game-changer for the former faculty All-American was when his artwork advisor underscored that, “Great collectors are manufactured by acquiring ‘eye mileage’ from searching at a ton of art,” he advised the magazine.

To that finish, Rivers built it his obligation to go to a unique museum in just about every point out as he amassed his remarkable assortment.

The Rivers playbook? “I commonly check out to acquire and support living artists. I go to New York often and see gallery exhibitions. I will go any where to see a show. I like museum demonstrates due to the fact which is exactly where you are looking at what’s ‘important,” he informed Introspective.

New York Giants #55 Keith Rivers during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford New Jersey.
Rivers’ assortment has grown to incorporate sculptures, paintings and video clip works from a lot of artists.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Article

His Beverly Hills digs incorporate oversize operates by Rafman, a textile-dependent sculpture by Gomes and French visual artist Cyprien Gaillard.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Rivers, who declined remark for this story, might have retired from football at 29, but even now will get pumped up for his up coming art score.

Who does he want to deal with subsequent? “Etel Adnan,” he told Introspective, referring to the late 96-yr-outdated Lebanese-American poet, essayist, and visible artist who died Nov. 14.

“I appreciate her function. I have experienced my eye on Kandis Williams, also. I did a studio visit with her and considered she was outstanding,” he informed the magazine of the acclaimed 36-12 months-outdated artist, author, and curator.

He ongoing: “I would enjoy to acquire an additional Warhol, because he motivated so numerous artists — consumerism and hero worship are even now alive and well!

By Indana