Destinations

Soon after the very first aeroplanes took to the sky, audacious young artists became caught up in the excitement. In 1912, Picasso painted a Cubist masterpiece, which included the prophetic words 'Our future is in the air'. And pioneering abstract painters like Malevich were inspired by aerial photography, with its compelling new vision of the world. Artists have been fascinated by flight ever since, so British Airways' decision to build up a collection of contemporary art seems highly appropriate.

The curatorial thrust of the collection is committed to a sense of adventure. It enjoys taking a chance with artists at the beginning of their careers, as well as giving more established names the opportunity to push themselves in unexplored directions. Before Chris Ofili won the Turner Prize, the BA Art Collection bought some of his watercolour images for very reasonable prices. And it has never been afraid of stirring up Philistines who hate modern art.

So far, the collection has acquired art for 46 BA lounges around the world. Most of the work displayed is British, reflecting BA's heritage, but it also makes sure that local artists, whether in America or Asia, are purchased to reflect the character of the particular country. The visibility given to these artists on the lounge walls promotes a widespread interest in their work. A remarkable number of passengers have been in touch to find out more about the artists, and ask if they can acquire comparable pieces.

'We get huge feedback, especially when we rotate the works,' says Susie Allen, founding director of Artwise, who curates the collection. She welcomes passionate debate about art, remembering with delight how 'someone angrily denounced one of the BA purchases as "abstract rubbish!" But when I pointed out that it was a photograph of ripples in the sea, he was completely won over. Art should be something to talk about, bringing people together. And it does.'

Allen felt even more gratified when Tracey Emin, who had once been her student at the Royal College of Art in London, donated two monoprint drawings to the BA collection. Touchingly personal — one of the prints asks: 'I Mean Do You Love Me' — they were bound to arouse controversy. Emin gave them in aid of the earthquake in Turkey, specifying that they should be installed in the lounge at Istanbul Airport with a collection box to raise funds for the victims. 

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