In 1963, Michael Werner opened his first gallery, Werner & Katz, in Berlin, Germany with the first solo exhibition of Georg Baselitz. Galerie Michael Werner was later established in Cologne in 1969. Since then, Galerie Michael Werner has worked with several of the most important artists of the twentieth century.[1] [2]
 Gertrudenstraße 24–28, Cologne | |
| Predecessor |
|
|---|---|
| Formation | 1969 |
| Purpose | art gallery |
| Headquarters | Gertrudenstraße 24 |
| Location |
|
| Coordinates | 50°56′17″N 6°56′45″E / 50.9381°N 6.9458°E |
Key people |
|
| Website | michaelwerner |
History
editWhen he opened his own gallery in 1963, Michael Werner gave Georg Baselitz his first solo show.[3]
A branch was opened in New York City in 1990, in a house on East 77th Street formerly used by Leo Castelli, and re-designed by Annabelle Selldorf.[4] In 1997, the gallery entered into a partnership with Knoedler.[5]
In 2009, Michael Werner and Gordon Veneklasen opened an art, film and performance space called VW (Veneklasen/Werner) in Berlin.[6] The space closed in 2016.[7] A London branch with 230 m2 (2,500 sq ft) of exhibition space opened in 2012 in Upper Brook Street, Mayfair; the first show was of work by Peter Doig.[8]
In 2017 the gallery collaborated with a Brazilian gallery, Mendes Wood DM, to open Hic Svnt Dracones, a project space on East 66th Street in New York. In 2022, the gallery briefly operated a pop-up space at a former Warby Parker glasses store in downtown East Hampton.[9]
In October 2023, Michael Werner Gallery collaborated with the late James Lee Byars for an exhibition at Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan, featuring striking gold-themed installations, including a 21-meter tall golden pillar, showcasing Byars' unique artistic vision and Werner's dedication to presenting monumental art.[10]
Artists
editGalerie Michael Werner represents numerous artists, including:
- Kai Althoff
- Hurvin Anderson
- Aaron Curry[11]
- Markus Lüpertz
- Peter Saul (since 2019)[12]
- Issy Wood[13]
In addition, the gallery manages various artist estates, including:
- Marcel Broodthaers
- James Lee Byars[14]
- Jörg Immendorff
- Per Kirkeby[15]
- Ernst Wilhelm Nay
- A.R. Penck[16]
- Sigmar Polke
In the past, the gallery has worked with the following artists and estates:
- Georg Baselitz[17]
- Peter Doig (2000–2023)[18]
- Thomas Houseago[19]
- Anselm Kiefer (–1979)[20]
- Tomas Schmit
Recognition
editIn 2017 Michael Werner became a chevalier of the Legion of Honour, in recognition of his contributions to French culture, which included the donation of 130 artworks to the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.[21]
Legal issues
editFrom 2011, Galerie Michael Werner launched a $1.35 million legal dispute with the Gwangju Biennale and the biennial's insurance company in a South Korean court over three onyx sculptures by James Lee Byars; the works were lent by the gallery for the 2010 biennial and were damaged during removal after the show and in transit back from South Korea.[22]
References
edit- ^ "The Gallery - Michael Werner Gallery, New York and London". www.michaelwerner.com. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ "Galerie Michael Werner | Die Galerie | Geschichte". www.michaelwerner.de. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ Christopher Bagley (1 January 2013), The Artist Whisperer W.
- ^ Carol Vogel (31 December 1999),New and Famous Home New York Times.
- ^ Carol Vogel (6 June 1997), Gallery Collaboration New York Times.
- ^ Nancy Keates (9 November 2012), An Art Dealer's Private Collection Wall Street Journal.
- ^ ArtFacts. "VW (VeneKlasen/Werner) | Institution". ArtFacts. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ Caroline Roux (14 September 2012), All about rarity value Financial Times.
- ^ Andy Battaglia (2 July 2020), Adding to Action in the Hamptons, Michael Werner Gallery Opens Pop-Up Exhibition Space ARTnews.
- ^ "James Lee Byars, Milan exhibition review — outsize ambitions in gold and glass". www.ft.com. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ Kevin West (1 November 2009), Young Artists: Thomas Houseago & Aaron Curry W.
- ^ Annie Armstrong (12 July 2019), Following Mary Boone Closure, Legendary Painter Peter Saul Will Be Repped in New York by Michael Werner, Venus Over Manhattan ARTnews.
- ^ Annie Armstrong (12 July 2019), Following Mary Boone Closure, Legendary Painter Peter Saul Will Be Repped in New York by Michael Werner, Venus Over Manhattan ARTnews.
- ^ Andrew Russeth (2 March 2017), James Lee Byars Tower, 65 Feet Tall and Golden, Will Grace Venice During the Biennale ARTnews.
- ^ Alex Greenberger (9 May 2018), Per Kirkeby, Pioneering Neo-Expressionist Painter, Dies at 79 ARTnews.
- ^ William Grimes (5 May 2017), A.R. Penck, German Neo-Expressionist of Cold-War Era, Dies at 77 New York Times.
- ^ Christopher Bagley (1 January 2013), The Artist Whisperer W.
- ^ Anny Shaw (15 February 2023), Peter Doig leaves international dealer Michael Werner after 23 years The Art Newspaper.
- ^ Kevin West (1 November 2009), Young Artists: Thomas Houseago & Aaron Curry W.
- ^ Christopher Bagley (1 January 2013), The Artist Whisperer W.
- ^ "Michael Werner Awarded France's Legion of Honor". artnet News. February 22, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ Jennifer Maloney (23 December 2013), International Arts Dispute Wall Street Journal.