Who are The Kardashian?
The Kardashian clan, also known as the Kardashian–Jenner dynasty, is a prominent American family deeply rooted in the realms of entertainment, reality TV, fashion design, and entrepreneurship. Across various endeavors, several family members possess fortunes exceeding one billion dollars. Kim Kardashian ascended to fame in 2007 following the release of an explicit video featuring singer Ray J, propelling the family into the limelight. They made joint appearances on the immensely popular reality show, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." The show's 14-year tenure consistently provided extensive media exposure to each family member, affording them the opportunity to initiate and nurture their individual careers across multiple enterprises under their distinct brands.
Founded by Kris Jenner and Robert Kardashian, the family encompasses their offspring, namely Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian, along with their grandchildren. After Robert and Kris separated in 1991, Kris remarried Olympic decathlon champion Caitlyn Jenner. The couple welcomed two daughters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Tragically, Robert Kardashian Sr. succumbed to esophageal cancer in 2003.
Distinguished extended family members encompass Kendall and Kylie's half-siblings, born from Caitlyn's marriage to songwriter Linda Thompson: Brandon and Brody Jenner. Kourtney was previously romantically linked with American entrepreneur Scott Disick, with whom she shares three children.
Kim was previously wedded to American singer/songwriter Kanye West, and they are parents to four children. Khloé previously dated Canadian basketball player Tristan Thompson, with whom she has two children. Rob was previously involved with American rapper and model Blac Chyna, and they share one child. Kylie formerly dated American rapper and vocalist Travis Scott, and they have two children together.
Initially, Robert garnered attention for his role as one of O. J. Simpson's attorneys during the O. J. Simpson murder case. However, the family leveraged Kim's 2003 explicit film, "Kim Kardashian, Superstar," to establish a reality TV and business empire. Over time, they've been labeled as "America's preeminent family" by Glamour, described as "one of the world's most influential family 'dynasties'" by Insider, and hailed as the predominant influencers of the 2010s by Vogue. They serve as the focal point of Ian Halperin's book, "Kardashian Dynasty: The Controversial Rise of America's Royal Family."
The family is most renowned for their enduring reality television series, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" (2007–2021). The franchise also spawned various spin-off shows, including "Kourtney and Kim Take Miami" (2009–2013), "Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami" (2009–2013), "Kourtney and Kim Take New York" (2011–2012), "Khloé & Lamar" (2013), "Kourtney and Kim Take Miami" (2014–2015), "Kourtney and Khloé Take The Hamptons" (2014–2015), "Dash Dolls" (2015), and "Life of Kylie" (2017). In 2022, the family introduced their latest reality television series, "The Kardashians."
The love of art
"In a 2013 interview, the British artist Tracey Emin responded to critiques that her renowned neon sculptures were 'crass and banal' with a thought-provoking perspective: 'Most people don't always have deep philosophical thoughts, they think like pop songs.' Emin's neon sculptures, awash in vibrant hues of pink, purple, and turquoise, indeed exude a certain pop culture appeal. They resemble the type of accessory one might find adorning the apartment of a character from 'St. Elmo's Fire'—instantly captivating without overwhelming, perfect for Instagram aesthetics, and emotionally resonant.
These sculptures, while perhaps a touch banal, consist of earnest expressions like 'I loved you more than I can love' and 'You touch my soul,' artfully presented in italics. Emin's fascination with universal emotions and simplicity results in works that resonate with those who embrace the straightforward sentiments of pop songs. As she eloquently put it, 'That's how they get on in the world.'
Now, the Kardashians aren't typically associated with profound philosophical musings, except for that memorable moment when Kylie Jenner declared that 2016 was the year 'we realized things,' a statement that paradoxically possesses a certain profundity. Nonetheless, the Kardashian and Jenner clan shares a genuine affection for art, particularly contemporary pop art. Kris, Kylie, and Kendall Jenner all proudly feature Emin's neon creations in their expansive homes, where these works of art find a prominent place."
The collections
Kim Kardashian
Right from the start, Kanye ensured that his relationship with Kim embraced another partner: the world of art. Back in 2013, he bestowed upon his then-fiancée a personalized artwork created by none other than George Condo, a former collaborator of the renowned Andy Warhol. Interestingly, this masterpiece wasn't painted on a conventional canvas; rather, it adorned the surface of a cherished Birkin bag. Kanye also engaged Condo, along with Takashi Murakami, in the task of designing the album covers for his previous musical works. His infamous collaboration with performance artist Vanessa Beecroft added another layer of artistic depth to his journey.
Following their marriage, both Kanye and Kim consciously shifted their passion and focus away from the realm of extravagant art towards the world of design. They developed a profound affinity for an all-white aesthetic and virtually anything that bore the hallmark of minimalist genius, Axel Vervoordt. Kim, who had previously collaborated with the artist Barbara Kruger, now took pleasure in exploring the offerings of 1stdibs. She openly expressed her admiration for the highly esteemed architect Le Corbusier, demonstrating an evolving artistic taste within their partnership.
From the outset, Kanye ensured that his connection with Kim remained receptive to another companion: the world of art. Back in 2013, he presented his then-betrothed with a personalized artwork created by none other than George Condo, a former collaborator of the iconic Andy Warhol. Interestingly, this masterpiece was not painted on a traditional canvas but adorned the surface of a coveted Birkin bag.
Furthermore, Kanye enlisted the creative talents of both Condo and Takashi Murakami to craft the visuals for his previous albums, establishing a noteworthy reputation. He also formed a memorable collaboration with performance artist Vanessa Beecroft.
Following their union in marriage, the couple redirected their ardor and concentration from extravagant artistry to the realm of design. They developed a strong inclination toward an immaculate all-white aesthetic and virtually anything that bore the mark of minimalist genius, Axel Vervoordt. Kim, who once engaged in a creative partnership with renowned artist Barbara Kruger, has also openly expressed her admiration for the esteemed architect Le Corbusier.
The dynamics changed significantly following the divorce of the couple. While the intricate specifics of the division of Kim and Kanye's assets remain undisclosed, reports from the Los Angeles Times indicate that the arrangement encompasses their diverse personal possessions. This encompasses everything from furniture, vehicles, artworks, clothing, antiquities, to bags and even fur items. Yes, you read that right; fur items are explicitly included in the discussion.
Considering that Kanye boasts not one but eight Sherps (rugged Ukrainian off-road vehicles built for traversing Siberian terrains) – and this is just a fraction of his automotive collection – it can be inferred that the asset division process may prove to be nearly as costly as disentangling their extensive real estate holdings. One can only imagine the staggering value of Kim K's extensive bag and shoe collection. Therefore, with both Kim and the even more artistically inclined Kanye in the mix, their art collection potentially holds substantial wealth, which is now poised to be divided in half.
Kylie Jenner in 2021, via Wikipedia.
Kylie Jenner
Merely by possessing an art collection at the tender age of 20, Kylie is already making strides in the art world and thus deserves a more lenient judgment. Towards the end of the previous year, she invested $20,000 in what's colloquially referred to as "Barbie art," created by the artist Beau Dunn, whose work also finds a home in none other than Kris Jenner's closet. Nevertheless, her latest acquisitions indicate a conscious effort to elevate her aesthetic.
To kick things off, positioned above her marble fireplace, you'll discover a purportedly signed, limited-edition print of Jean-Michel Basquiat's "Hollywood Africans in front of the Chinese Theater with Footprints of Movie Stars." These prints were released as recently as 2015 and were originally priced at $50,000. While Basquiat is by no means an obscure figure, Kylie bolstered her art credentials by showcasing her interest in the realm of design as well. Her living room now houses a table seemingly dripping in bronze, a creation by the sculptor Zhipeng Tan, reportedly retailing for $25,000. Although the designer of the central table remains unidentified, it's unquestionably the work of someone who appreciates opulence, evident in its transparent frame enveloping a bed of gilded leaves.
However, the most remarkable element in the room is its focal point: a coffee table book featuring the works of the renowned French photographer Bettina Rheims. Rheims credits luminaries like Helmut Newton and Diane Arbus as influences on her portraits of iconic women such as Catherine Deneuve and Madonna. Whether Kylie is genuinely a fan of Rheims or has even perused the pages of the coffee table book is uncertain. Nonetheless, if she has indeed delved into its contents, she deserves credit for her dedication to artistic enrichment!
Kendall Jenner
In the introductory segment of Vogue's "73 Questions" video featuring Kendall, dating back to 2016, one could observe a massive coffee table book about Jeff Koons prominently displayed atop the grand piano situated just in front of the entrance to her residence. (Though, technically, it might be Kris Jenner's home, given the presence of the Tracey Emin artwork, but Kendall didn't seem inclined to relocate it.)
However, when it comes to art, Kendall has not exhibited a level of enthusiasm remotely comparable to her fervor for collecting vintage cars (or her penchant for indulging in $52,000 couches). In fact, she recently faced criticism for what some perceived as a lack of respect for the art of photography. This arose when she shared an adorable picture of a deer on Instagram without crediting the photographer responsible. The same applies to some highly detailed fan art she has shared, including one from 2016 by an artist who still identifies herself as the one whose work "Kendall Jenner reposted."
Kris Jenner
On Valentine's Day in 2018, we were afforded an intimate glimpse into Kris Jenner's personal life as she took on the role of host for a dinner gathering that eventually evolved into what Kim Kardashian humorously dubbed "the Olympics" of spirited karaoke performances. The unfiltered moments from that evening, generously shared through Instagram Stories, offered a rare peek at Kris's relaxed demeanor as she playfully extended her middle finger—an act that paradoxically exuded an air of sophistication when juxtaposed against one of Tracey Emin's iconic neon light installations.
Significantly, it's well-documented that Jenner holds a deep admiration for the former young British artist and provocateur, Tracey Emin. She has previously posed alongside Emin's artworks, showcasing her appreciation in publications like Architectural Digest.
Moreover, astute viewers of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" might have noticed a prominently displayed canvas by Yoshitomo Nara on one of her fireplaces in the background of select scenes. Kris is the proud owner of this particular piece. Additionally, she possesses a one-of-a-kind custom Parisian sculpture of a polar bear, meticulously crafted from metal and glass by the renowned floral artist Jeff Haynes-Leatham. Kris unveils this exceptional artwork each Christmas, and it's noteworthy that it remained the sole piece of its kind in the United States until the somewhat unexpected appearance of Steve Harvey.
Khloé Kardashian
Those who have access to Khloé Kardashian's app may recall that back in 2016, she shared an image of her favorite "intriguing piece of feminist art." The artwork in question was a photograph by Terry O'Neill featuring Raquel Welch portrayed in a crucified pose. Khloé keenly pointed out that this photograph, captured in 1966, symbolized how Welch had been metaphorically "crucified" by the entertainment industry due to her expression of her own sexuality. She also made it quite clear that she was not interested in entertaining any criticisms labeling the artwork as "sacrilegious," firmly asserting, "It's my residence, so kindly refrain from judgment, LOL."
While we haven't heard much about her art collection since then, Khloé has already demonstrated her knack for artistic concepts and curation. She appears to share the same sentiment as her highbrow counterparts, Kim and Kanye, that sometimes, less is indeed more.
Kourtney Kardashian
Apologies, Kourtney, but when it comes to high-art credibility, you find yourself at the lowest rung of the ladder. During her relationship with Scott Disick, there was an intriguing episode where she learned of a painting that once belonged to his late parents.
This painting bore an uncanny resemblance to the style of Modigliani, which understandably got her quite excited. However, her enthusiasm wasn't rooted in appreciating a genuine piece of modernist art; instead, it was driven by the prospect of turning it into a source of immense wealth.
As recounted by artnet News in 2014, this captivating saga unfolded over the course of a "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" episode. It featured Kourtney hiring conservators and art experts who raised her hopes by estimating the painting's value to be potentially as high as $100 million.
The truth about its authenticity eventually came to light when the artwork underwent a chemical analysis, revealing that it was, in fact, a forgery, containing materials that were only accessible after Modigliani's passing.
Selena Mattei
