Brigitte and Henning Freybe had devoted much of their lives to a profound engagement with art. From the 1970s onward, they embarked on a journey of collecting that grew into a legacy of both cultural significance and personal meaning. What began as a way to remain connected to their German heritage evolved into a collection that spanned continents and decades.
Their dedication extended far beyond acquisition. The Freybes welcomed artists into their home, forging enduring relationships built on mutual respect and shared curiosity. Over the years, many of these artists sent postcards—humble tokens of gratitude and friendship—that would later inspire the exhibition title Postcards from the Heart: Selections from the Brigitte and Henning Freybe Collection. These handwritten notes revealed the depth of connection the Freybes cultivated with those whose work they cherished.
Their collection embraced a remarkable range of artistic expression, encompassing painting, sculpture, photography, film, and works on paper. From early European influences such as Georg Baselitz, Daniel Buren, and Giuseppe Penone to the post-war innovations of Robert Rauschenberg and Frank Stella, their acquisitions reflected both intellectual ambition and aesthetic discernment.
Yet the Freybes never confined their interests to Europe and the United States. Their passion included the creative voices of their adopted home in Vancouver, where they collected pivotal works by Rodney Graham, Stan Douglas, Jeff Wall, and Beau Dick. They also became stewards of the Light and Space movement in California, bringing pieces by Helen Pashgian and John McCracken into their collection.
Presented at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Postcards from the Heart: Selections from the Brigitte and Henning Freybe Collection honoured this expansive vision. In celebrating more than thirty significant works, the exhibition bore witness to the Freybes’ belief that art possesses the power to connect, enlighten, and endure.