Their Walls: Amrita Gurney
The third instalment of series of Q&As with some ultra-cool art collectors, on what they live with, love, and why they buy.
There’s something about talking to a startup person who’s also deeply into art—it reminds you that creativity and strategy don’t have to live in separate rooms.
Amrita gets this. In her twenties, a move to Eastern Europe led to friendships with artists who opened her eyes to a new way of seeing. That experience stuck. Long before she was building marketing teams or advising founders, she was running a gallery.
Today, alongside an impressive tech resume, she continues to support the artists she loves with passion and purpose, and with the same instinct that’s guided her across industries.
If we were chatting at a dinner party, how would you describe what you do?
I spent my career building and running the marketing function at multiple successful Canadian startups. Now, I help startup founders build their marketing team or if one already exists, support the team as a coach and advisor.
How long have you been interested in art?
Since I was in my mid 20s, when I moved to Eastern Europe. There, I fell into a group of artists who opened my eyes to the world of visual art.
What was the first piece of art you bought, and what about it made you want to live with it?
I befriended a Bulgarian artist named Orlin Mantchev, and he has this one painting in the window of his street front studio at Bathurst and Bloor in Toronto. As soon as I saw it, I was obsessed. I didn't sleep the first night, I was so excited about it. Looking back, I think I was drawn to the colours and markings - it was a large, 48x48 abstract impressionist style painting, with this intense red hue with burnt orange and amber and a boat-like shape carved into the canvas. I just loved how I felt when I was around it. Unfortunately, it was way out of my price range as a young 20-something, and so I kept admiring it for months as it went to art shows, and came back as one of the few unsold pieces. After almost a year of me obsessing over it, Orlin generously offered to sell it to me for whatever I was comfortable paying.
What was the last artwork you purchased, and what drew you to it?
The last one was purchased in 2024 - it's a textile piece by Anastasia Tiller, a Canadian multidisciplinary artist. I love how she has taken this traditional craft and created a fantasy world of sea creatures that are whimsical and colourful and technically intricate. She is based in Newfoundland, where I am from, and I thought it would be a perfect addition to the art in my Newfoundland cabin.
Bonus: If your collection were a cocktail or beverage, what would it be?
A Mezcal Paloma — a smoky, citrusy twist on a classic that feels playful yet elevated.
A huge thank you to Amrita for sharing her stories with us. At the heart of Amrita’s approach is instinct. So, let it guide you. What began with a painting in a window grew into something steadier, more intentional. Whether building a team or collecting artwork, Amrita trusts that instinct. She creates what doesn’t yet exist, and reminds us that meaningful things often grow quietly over time.
Until next time…
xx Bronwyn
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