The New Yorker has published a story on the relationship between Bill Arnett, a white art dealer and archivist of black vernacular art, and Thornton Dial, an 84-year old, self-trained black artist who has had  his highly praised work included in major exhibitions and events, including the 2000 Whitney Biennial.  Facing Dial’s facile categorization as an “outsider artist,” Arnett is currently pushing for mainstream acceptance, not only of his work, but of 20th century African-American Art in general.  “I’m trying to create some documents to leave behind, so that when the system changes, just a little bit, somebody would say, ‘Wow, you mean we had this going on in America in the twentieth century?’  That’s all.” (more…)

Dealer Gavin Brown is the subject of a recent profile in W Magazine,  documenting his pioneering work in the New York art scene, and his ongoing war against the status quo for gallery spaces in an increasingly uncertain time for mid-level galleries.  “It always petrifies me, these moments of shift. And if you focus on this small world of artists and galleries and museums, I think we’re kind of spinning our wheels wondering what’s next because we know something is coming.  All the old models seem to be running out of gas. It’s a fascinating time,” Brown says. “Everything is up in the air.” (more…)

West Coast art dealer Blum and Poe has begun its search for a gallery space in New York City, which is intended to “focus on our artists who currently do not have representation in New York, in addition to very specific projects, both historical and otherwise,” says co-owner Tim Blum.  The gallery is currently based in Los Angeles, and will look to open by August. (more…)

In the past two years, U.S. authorities have seized over $100 Million in art and antiques from Subhash Kapoor, a 64-year-old American citizen accused as one of the biggest smuggles of ancient antiquities and art in the world.  Kapoor has sold or donated ancient art works to a number of prominent museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and LACMA, and is currently being held in India as a suspect in an international smuggling ring.  The United States is also seeking its own charges for the dealer.  “It’s one of our most significant antiquities and artifacts investigations that we’ve conducted,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge James T. Hayes says. (more…)

Dealer Matthew Marks is currently selling his West Village apartment, built in 1830 by painter Abraham Rattner.  The building boasts impressive renovations, all made since the building was purchased in 1997.  “At home, we like to move the furniture around, repaint and change the art frequently, but after 16 years, we’ve tried all the combinations and it’s time to move on.”  Marks said. (more…)

One by one, the indicted suspects in a case involving money laundering and illegal gambling, among them art dealer Helly Nahmad, plead not guilty in court on Friday.  Underlining the size and complexity of the case, over 30 were indicted as part of two separate but connected gambling and money laundering rings.  Mr. Nahmad is charged with helping to bankroll the operation.  “We do not believe that Mr. Nahmad has knowingly violated the law.” Said Nahmad’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman. “We anticipate that he will be fully exonerated.” (more…)

Artforum is reporting that dealer and artist Daniel Reich recently passed away, taking his own life on Christmas Day of last year.  He was 39 years old.  Reich began showing art in 2001, and established his own gallery in Chelsea, which closed in 2011.  “Change is hard, but it’s also good,” he said at that time. “It resets you, it returns you to that initial energy, the fire that you had, way back then, when you knew that you wanted to do this.”   (more…)

Billionaire Hedge Fund Manager and prodigious Art Collector Steven A. Cohen has issued a statement clarifying the details behind the purchase of Picasso’s Le Rêve from casino owner Steve Wynn.  Despite reports of the sale coming to light only recently, the deal was reportedly made last October, at the purchase price of $150 Million, when dealer William Acquavella contacted Cohen about the work’s availibility.  “We were at the gallery the next morning,” Says Sandy Heller, Cohen’s art advisor. “In three minutes we had a deal.”   (more…)

Dealer Larry Gagosian and collector Jan Cowles have reportedly settled their disagreement over the 1964 Roy Lichtenstein work Girl in Mirror.  The news was broken by Wall Street Journal reporter Kelly Crow on her Twitter account this morning.  A full report has yet to be released, so the details of the settlement has yet to be released. (more…)