Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys are inspired to collect art because they 'understand how hard it is to be an artist'

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys say their passion for collecting art is inspired by their work as artists.

In a new interview with CNN, the couple gave the company a tour of their new “Giants” exhibit at the High Museum of Art. When asked why they collect, Keys revealed that they are motivated by their experiences as artists.

“As an artist, there’s a real passion for collecting and supporting artists,” she said. “We understand how hard it is to be an artist. We understand how hard it is to have autonomy over your work.”

Later in the tour, Keys explained why the exhibit is called “Giants.”

“A lot of the work is oversized, but the people who created it are giants,” she said. “They’re masters and they’re incredible.”

“And then there’s this idea of stepping into your own giant, not being afraid to be as big as you can be and not being afraid to take up space in the room,” she continued. “Be present, be powerful, be yourself.”

The “Giants” exhibition will run from September 13 to January 19 in the Cousins Special Exhibition gallery at the High Museum in Atlanta. Organized by the Brooklyn Museum and first shown in February, the collection includes 115 objects (98 of which are major works of art) owned by Beatz and Keys.

Some of the artists included in the exhibition are Derrick Adams, Meleko Mokgosi, Nick Cave, Lorna Simpson, Barkley L. Hendricks, Deana Lawson, Amy Sherald, Ebony G. Patterson and Arthurr Jafa.

Talk with ARTnews In 2019, Keys stressed the importance of supporting those who contribute to their community, as artists do. “There are way too many artists of all kinds — musicians, painters, sculptors, dancers — who have unfortunately contributed so much to culture and died with nothing,” she said. “It’s crazy, that’s not how it’s supposed to be.”