The Collectors: Cathia Lawson-Hall

Alongside her husband, Philip Hall, Paris collector Cathia Lawson-Hall has accumulated a vibrant trove of dynamic international artists over the past 25 years. “We seek works that challenge, move, and sometimes even unsettle us,” she says of their cache of artworks by Heemin Chung, Thalita Hamaoui, Amoako Boafo, Rachel Jones, Megan Rooney, and Jake Troyli, among many others. “The collection first began with a strong focus on African and Afro-descendant artists, and while this foundation remains essential to us, our collection has since expanded, embracing a decidedly international perspective and artists from all walks of life.” In 2019, the couple cofounded the Centre Pompidou’s Cercle International Afrique, an acquisition committee dedicated to enriching the museum’s modern and contemporary African collections, the first of its kind in France.

Missed opportunities: “One of our greatest regrets is not having a piece by the Anglo Kenyan Michael Armitage or the British Ghanaian Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, who are exceptional artists. Their work is a benchmark for us.”

Best advice: “Trust yourself. The value of a work lies first and foremost in the personal impact it has on you. It’s by falling in love with a piece that you find the only valid reason to acquire it. This emotional connection is what makes a collection authentic and personal.”

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2025 Late Fall Issue under the headline “The Collectors.” Subscribe to the magazine.