The Enlargement of Canon Sparks Thriving Market for Artists' Legacy Empires
In the world of art, the focus is often on the creation and exhibition of new works, but there's an equally important aspect that ensures the enduring legacy of artists: art estate stewardship. This vital service is provided by organisations such as Soft Network and the Artist's Foundation & Estate Leaders' List (AFELL), which help artists and their families manage and preserve their artistic legacies for future generations.
One such example is the Joan Mitchell Foundation's CALL (Creating a Living Legacy) initiative, a grant program that allows artists to self-direct the use of funds for estate planning and stewardship. Cat Gardère, the daughter of artist Paul Gardère, is one such artist who has taken on the responsibility of stewarding her father's estate. She worked tirelessly for 3 years, documenting inventory and creating a digital archive, dedicating 40 hours a week to this task.
Stewardship organisations play a crucial role in helping artists plan for the future, handling the legal, financial, and cultural aspects of an artist's estate. They guide artists in setting up foundations or trusts, supporting philanthropic efforts that align with the artist's vision. For instance, the Rauschenberg Foundation, an anomaly among foundations and estates, has worked with blue-chip galleries for many years, including Gladstone Gallery.
The Jenni Crain Foundation, established after the curator and artist's untimely death in 2021, is another example of an organisation preserving an artist's legacy. Many of Crain's sculptures exist as instructions that the gallery and foundation are constructing and exhibiting.
Networking and support are also key aspects of art estate stewardship. Organisations provide a network of peers and experts, offering guidance and advice on managing artistic estates. AFELL, a Google group started in 2019, serves this purpose, providing a platform for those in similar situations to share resources.
Allan Schwartzman, the mind behind Schwartzman&, an advisory for artists and institutions, has been thinking about legacy work for decades. He consults seven artist estates, including those of Jimmie Durham and Robert Rauschenberg. Schwartzman& does not conduct sales, emphasising the responsibility of managing the artist's work for future generations rather than solely focusing on ownership rights.
Mega-galleries such as Hauser & Wirth, Pace Gallery, and David Zwirner have increasingly been adding estates to their rosters. However, galleries are still necessary to represent estates, as they provide the platform for exhibitions and sales.
Organisations like Soft Network are based in New York and help artists with their estates and exhibitions. They are instrumental in bringing overlooked artists back into the spotlight, such as Scott Burton's estate, which is being brought back into the spotlight by Soft Network and Darling Green.
In conclusion, art estate stewardship organisations play a vital role in preserving and managing artistic legacies. They focus on the long-term management and preservation of art, ensuring that the cultural impact of artists continues to be felt for generations to come.
- The Joan Mitchell Foundation's CALL initiative aids artists in self-directing funds for estate planning and stewardship.
- Cat Gardère, an artist and her father's estate steward, spent three years documenting and creating a digital archive.
- Stewardship organisations help artists in managing legal, financial, and cultural aspects of their estates.
- The Rauschenberg Foundation, in collaboration with blue-chip galleries like Gladstone Gallery, supports philanthropic efforts.
- The Jenni Crain Foundation, established after the artist's death, constructs and exhibits her sculptures based on instructions.
- AFELL, a Google group initiated in 2019, serves as a platform for sharing resources among peers and experts in art estate stewardship.
- Allan Schwartzman, an advisor for artists and institutions, manages seven artist estates, including Jimmie Durham and Robert Rauschenberg.
- Mega-galleries like Hauser & Wirth, Pace Gallery, and David Zwirner add estates to their rosters, providing platforms for exhibitions and sales.
- Soft Network, based in New York, helps artists with their estates and exhibitions, bringing overlooked artists back into the spotlight.
- Art estate stewardship organisations ensure the long-term management and preservation of art, safeguarding the cultural impact of artists for future generations.
