Have you ever wondered what it feels like to walk into a home filled with over 600 works of art? For Kim Manocherian, that is just a normal Tuesday. She is one of New York’s most respected art collectors, a former business leader, and a strong supporter of women artists. But her story is not just about buying paintings. It is about passion, family, and telling stories through art.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Manocherian |
| Born | 1960 |
| Nationality | American |
| Heritage | Iranian and English |
| Father | Fraydun “Fred” Manocherian |
| Siblings | Cara, Greg, Jed, and John |
| Spouse | Jerome Strelov (married 1985) |
| Profession | Art Collector, Philanthropist, Former CEO |
| Former Role | CEO, New York Health and Racquet Club (NYHRC) |
| Collection Name | Scheherazade Art Collection |
| Total Artworks | 600+ pieces |
| Based In | New York City, USA |
| Known For | Largest private collection of Paula Rego’s work in the world |
| Supported Institutions | MoMA, Tate Britain, Musée de l’Orangerie, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art |
Early Life and Family Background
Kim Manocherian was born in 1960 to Fraydun Manocherian, and she was raised in a household that was committed to public safety and health. UNIQUE BOY NAMES Her family background is rich in culture and art. Her father, Fraydun “Fred” Manocherian, was born in 1932 to Persian Jewish parents and, after immigrating to the United States, founded the Manocherian Brothers real estate firm with his brothers, specializing in Upper East Side Manhattan properties. UNIQUE BOY NAMES
On her mother’s side, the influence was just as strong. Kim’s mother’s maternal grandfather was an English lawyer and amateur artist who introduced her to art and culture at a young age. UNIQUE BOY NAMES
Kim was deeply influenced by her father’s Iranian heritage and uncles who valued antiques and intricate craftsmanship. She absorbed their passion for the visual arts and creativity. Her grandfather, an archaeologist, left behind artworks he found in Iran, while on her mother’s side, her English lawyer father had incredible artifacts from traveling the world and collecting. Cultured
So from a very young age, Kim was surrounded by beautiful things from different parts of the world. This early exposure planted the seed of what would later grow into one of the most impressive private art collections in New York.
Kim is one of five children born to Fraydun and Jennifer Ann Robbins, who is the daughter of cookbook author Ann Roe Robbins. UNIQUE BOY NAMES She grew up with siblings Cara, Greg, Jed, and John. In 1985, she married Jerome Strelov in a Unitarian ceremony in Manhattan.
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From Business Leader to Art Patron
Before the world came to know Kim as an art collector, she had a long career in business. She was the former CEO of her family’s business, the New York Health and Racquet Club (NYHRC). Cultured
Her experience as CEO of the New York Health and Racquet Club was part of her life for 46 years. This kind of dedication and discipline clearly shaped how she approaches everything she does, including art collecting.
Her business background also helped her support artists in creative ways. When she came across Jeffrey Gibson, whose work explored Native American culture and identity, she donated punching bags from the club to show her support for his creative process. This is a perfect example of how Kim blends her two worlds together.
The Scheherazade Collection
The name of Kim’s collection is one of the most poetic parts of her story. She named it the Scheherazade Collection, after the brave heroine from the famous story One Thousand and One Nights.
New York based arts patron Kim Manocherian named her collection after Scheherazade, the heroine in One Thousand and One Nights who cleverly avoids death by never finishing the story she is obliged to tell the brutish king each night. The story’s ending is always just one night away, making the tale of Scheherazade one of personal resolve and self preservation.
Early on, she realized that her interests lie in storytelling, and it was only after her friend and late artist Paula Rego portrayed her as Scheherazade in a painting that the name truly felt right.
She connected deeply with the character because Scheherazade was strong and wove tales to save herself and other women. Kim sees art as a medium through which narratives are preserved, which has been a guiding force behind her collection. UNIQUE BOY NAMES
This is what makes Kim’s collection feel so personal. It is not just a group of expensive paintings. It is a living story, told through each piece she has chosen.
Over 600 Works and Still Counting
For 40 years, Manocherian has built an independent, irreverent collection that now numbers more than 600 works and spans emerging to well known artists.
A peek inside Kim Manocherian’s home features an expansive and startling mix of sculptures, paintings, and works on paper that includes the complete collection of Andy Warhol shoe prints. A trio of puppets sit on couches, a Jeffrey Gibson punching bag hangs from a ceiling, and a selection of sculptures from Urs Fischer to Willie Cole call her terrace overlooking Central Park home.
This is not a stuffy museum style home. It is a living, breathing space where art and daily life exist together. Art is everywhere, from the walls to the terrace, from the couches to the ceilings.
Adept at collecting works that stir emotions and spark dialogue, Manocherian’s collection generously emphasizes women and emerging artists. The New York based arts patron does not follow trends. Instead, she keeps sight of art that teeters towards provocation.
A Champion for Women Artists
One of the most important things about Kim’s collection is its focus on female voices. In a world where women artists have often been overlooked, Kim has made it her mission to change that.
Drawn to female narratives, the collector has acquired the likes of Mary Beth Edelson, Alice Neel, Louise Bourgeois, Anita Steckel, Sarah Lucas, and Janet Sobel.
Manocherian also supports contemporary artists Chantal Joffe and Firelei Báez, and holds a special place in her heart for self trained women, among them Vanessa German and Iranian artist Mokarrameh Ghanbari.
Among the self trained women artists, she is drawn to those who use art as a tool to navigate their personal traumas. She finds it incredibly powerful that art can serve as a form of expression for healing, not just for the artists but also for the collector and others who engage with the artworks.
This shows how deeply Kim connects with the artists she collects. For her, collecting is not about owning something expensive. It is about understanding someone’s pain, their joy, and their story.
The Paula Rego Connection
Perhaps the most famous relationship in Kim’s collecting life is the one she had with the late Portuguese British artist Paula Rego.
That project led to a lasting friendship between the women and resulted in Manocherian holding the largest private collection of the Portuguese British artist in the world.
When she first saw Paula Rego’s work, she was astounded that it had missed her radar for so long. Her reaction was visceral. Everything spoke to her, from the style and hand of the painting to the colors and amazing storytelling.
When she met Rego, they instantly got along, and Kim began supplying her with vintage clothing for the dollies Rego used to create scenes for her paintings.
Kim waited four years to purchase Paula Rego’s famous painting The Maids, borrowing money to finally buy it. The work immediately went on loan to museums all over Europe, including a solo show at the Tate. After six years, it was shipped back to the US, and Kim eventually rented a crane to have it lifted into her Manhattan apartment, where it now lives.
That level of commitment is rare. Most people would not rent a crane for a painting. But for Kim, art is worth it.
Sharing Art with the World
Kim does not keep her collection locked away. She believes that art should be seen, shared, and experienced by as many people as possible.
Another point of pride for Manocherian is her practice of loaning works to institutions all over the world, including Tate Britain, the Musée de l’Orangerie, and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.
She has also been a patron and donor of MoMA, the Tate Britain, the Park Avenue Armory, and the New York Historical Society over the years.
She truly cannot understand why a collector would not want to loan an artist’s work. It is the least you can do for the artists that bring you so much joy, and she loves it when other people get access to work in private collections.
Her goal in contributing to museums is to spark conversations about the importance of gender diversity in the arts and women’s rights, and to encourage institutions to acquire new perspectives.
How She Collects: Gut Feeling First
You might think that collecting 600 pieces of art requires a very strict and logical system. But Kim’s approach is actually quite personal and emotional.
For her, collecting is a form of storytelling. Her collection reflects her personal narrative and is based on intuition and her visceral reactions to works of art. If it does not give her heart palpitations, she does not want it, and this applies to all areas of the arts she is drawn to, from fashion to interior design.
Her collection comes together like a puzzle or a narrative, representing her beliefs and the questions she constantly grapples with. One thing is certain: her collection reflects that she is not afraid of controversy.
Her advice to aspiring art collectors is to be intentional about collecting, but not to ignore that gut feeling you get when you see an artwork you are drawn to. If you follow your instinct, there might just be a pattern or a start to an exceptional collection. She also suggests showing up to artists’ exhibition openings, studio visits where possible, or any way you could support them aside from collecting.
Art as a Personal Story
Kim often says that she wishes she could create art herself, but since she cannot, she collects it instead.
She has always wished she had the ability to create art herself, but it is simply not her gift, so instead she collects. She is incredibly grateful to the artists in her collection because, through their work, she can express parts of her own story.
She has a bit of a dark sense of humor, and sometimes even the most difficult subjects strike her as surprisingly funny. Some pieces in her collection may not directly relate to her own experiences but address social issues she feels deeply about.
This honesty makes Kim different from many collectors. She is not pretending to be something she is not. She simply loves art and uses it to speak when words are not enough.
Final Thoughts
Kim Manocherian is not your typical art collector. She does not collect to impress people or to follow the market. She collects because art speaks to her soul. From her early days surrounded by Iranian and English cultural influences, to her time leading a major New York business, to building one of the most meaningful private collections in the world, her journey is one that many people can find inspiring.
Forty years into her collecting journey, what Kim still loves most is discovering new artists.
That curiosity and openness is perhaps the most beautiful thing about her. Whether you are an art lover, a business person, or just someone who enjoys a good story, Kim Manocherian’s life has something to teach all of us.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Kim Manocherian
1. Who is Kim Manocherian?
Kim Manocherian is a New York based art collector, philanthropist, and former CEO of the New York Health and Racquet Club. She is best known for her Scheherazade Art Collection, which includes over 600 works with a strong focus on women artists.
2. Where is Kim Manocherian from?
She is based in New York City. She has Iranian and English ancestry.
3. What is the Scheherazade Collection?
It is the name Kim gave to her personal art collection inspired by storytelling.
4. How many artworks does she own?
Over 600 pieces.
5. Why does she focus on women artists?
She believes in amplifying female voices and stories.
6. What is her connection to Paula Rego?
She owns the largest private collection of her work and was her close friend.
7. Has she loaned art to museums?
Yes, to major institutions worldwide.
8. What was her career before art collecting?
She was CEO of NYHRC.
9. What advice does she give collectors?
Trust your gut and connect with artists.
10. What kind of art does she collect?
Art that tells stories, sparks emotion, and explores social issues.
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