Art Industry News is a daily digest of the most consequential developments coming out of the art world and art market. Here’s what you need to know on this Friday, October 8.
NEED-TO-READ
Producer Douglas S. Cramer’s Collection Heads to Sotheby’s – TV producer Douglas S. Cramer’s expansive art collection will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s New York in November. The trove, which includes a 2012 geometric abstraction by Ellsworth Kelly and works by Roy Lichtenstein and Ed Ruscha, is estimated to fetch $30 million. (ARTnews)
Bob Ross Inc. Speaks – The president of Bob Ross Inc. has responded to its unflattering portrayal in the Netflix documentary “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed,” which depicted the company as exploitative after the death of the artist and heartless toward his son. Since then, the company has been on the receiving end of many angry phone calls from documentary viewers. “I worry that fans are fascinated now with showing so much vitriol towards the company that they’re forgetting that they love Bob,” the company’s Joan Kowalski said. (Vanity Fair)
Gilbert & George Will Open Their Own Gallery – The eccentric artist duo is opening a gallery just off Brick Lane in London dedicated to showing their own work. Called “The World of Gilbert & George,” it will carry their legacy in perpetuity because they say museums can’t be trusted to do so. “[Tate] have 23 [of our] pieces that they never show,” Gilbert told the FT. ”All the museums now are woke…. At the moment it’s all Black art, all women art, all this art and that art. Just go and have a look at Tate Modern, I’m sure they don’t have a [Francis] Bacon up.” (Financial Times)
The Caravaggio Search That Has Captivated the Art World – A long lost Caravaggio painting, if it is authenticated as truly being by the hand of the Baroque master, could become one of the most expensive Old Master paintings in the world. The painting depicting Pontius Pilate presenting a thorn crowned Jesus was uncovered at auction last spring listed for just $1,800. (Wall Street Journal)
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Poland Chooses a Romani Artist for Its National Pavilion – Malgorzata Mirga-Tas will represent Poland at the 2022 Venice Biennale. The artist’s project, “Re-enchanting the World,” attempts to broaden Polish and European art history with the representation of Roma culture. It will be curated by Wojciech Szymański and Joanna Warsza. (Press release)
Galerie Geiger Is Expanding – Galerie Geiger will open new space on the banks of Lake Constance, Germany, on October 10. The gallery, which specializes in ZERO, Constructivist, and Concrete art, will launch with a show of work by Dutch “nature artist” Herman de Vries. (Press release)
Lehmann Maupin Now Represents Chantal Joffe – The gallery, which presented a show of Joffe’s work in Seoul last winter, now represents her in Asia. She will continue to work with Victoria Miro in London. “Representation in Asia by Lehmann Maupin, a gallery that is so fantastic, means a great deal to me,” the artist said in a statement. (Press release)
FOR ART’S SAKE
Magical Spectacles Are Heading to Auction – Sotheby’s London will sell two sets of Mughal era spectacles said to contain magical powers on October 27. They are estimated to fetch as much as $2.7 million each. (Sure, it’s a lot for glasses, but magic glasses? Maybe a steal!) Named “Gate of Paradise” and “Halo of Light,” the spectacles were commissioned by an unknown prince and have lenses made respectively from emerald—which was thought to have healing powers—and diamonds. (ARTnews)
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