Charting New Courses: A Week of Artistic Triumphs and Industry Shifts
Leading Galleries Expand Their Rosters
Several esteemed art institutions have recently expanded their portfolios by welcoming new artists. Esther Schipper, a Berlin-based gallery, has announced its representation of Tuan Andrew Nguyen, an artist hailing from Ho Chi Minh City, a collaboration made in conjunction with James Cohan. Nguyen's inaugural solo exhibition with Esther Schipper is slated for September 2026. Simultaneously, Emalin has brought Ghanaian artist Jonathan Okoronkwo into its fold, an artist celebrated for his compelling works inspired by Kumasi's industrial scrapyards. This move follows Okoronkwo's successful solo show at the gallery in 2025. Jack Shainman Gallery also made headlines by adding Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary artist Donyel Ivy-Royal to its roster, with his first solo exhibition scheduled for November at the gallery's Chelsea location. Furthermore, Victoria Miro and Olney Gleason have jointly announced their representation of Emil Sands, a London-born, New York-based artist. Sands is set to present a solo exhibition with Miro in Venice next month, followed by another at Olney Gleason in 2027.
Significant Appointments in the Art Sector
Beyond gallery representation, the art world also witnessed a notable institutional appointment. The Bass Museum of Art has named Jasa McKenzie as its new Associate Curator. McKenzie is recognized for a curatorial approach deeply informed by inquiries into identity, and most recently spearheaded creative programming for the Great Northern Festival in Minneapolis.
Record-Breaking Achievement in Art Auctions
In a remarkable demonstration of market strength, William I. Koch's Western art collection achieved an astounding record total of $84.1 million at Christie's auction. This figure, inclusive of fees, more than triples any previous record for a single-owner collection of Western art. The sale was particularly notable for establishing five new artist records, with Frederic Remington's works setting new benchmarks twice during the event. His piece, An Argument with the Town Marshal, fetched $11.8 million, only to be surpassed by Coming to the Call, which sold for $13.3 million.
A Tribute to Marian Goodman’s Enduring Legacy
The art community continues to mourn the passing of Marian Goodman, a dealer whose profound influence significantly shaped contemporary art discourse. A recent article in the New York Times featured insights from prominent artists Goodman collaborated with, as well as Christophe Cherix, director of the Museum of Modern Art. These tributes consistently highlighted Goodman's extraordinary capacity to make artists feel truly valued and understood, both as individuals and for their artistic endeavors. Another recurring theme was her unwavering commitment to fair compensation, exemplified by Julie Mehretu's recollection of Goodman's tenacious negotiations with SFMOMA regarding the artist's atrium commission. Collectively, these remembrances paint a vivid picture of a dealer who served as a fierce advocate for artists, and, when necessary, a trusted mentor who encouraged them to push their creative boundaries.