The Art Business

Unveiling the Art World's Hidden Stories with Julia Wendl, CEO & Auctioneer at Kunst-Auktionhaus Wendl

Welcome to another engaging episode of the Art Business Podcast. This week, our host David interviews Julia Wendl, a distinguished alumna of the MA Art Business Programme at Sotheby's Institute of Art and the CEO and auctioneer at Kunst-Auktionhaus Wendl in Germany. Julia shares her fascinating journey from her early interest in art auctions to her current role, emphasizing the importance of provenance research and ethical considerations in the art market.

Julia dives into the history of auctions, revealing intriguing facts about their origins and evolution. She also discusses her personal connection to provenance issues, particularly regarding the confiscation of art during the GDR era by the Stasi. Her insights highlight the complexities and moral responsibilities of working in the art world today.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the art market's various levels, the importance of transparency, and the joy of discovering and collecting art. Julia's passion and expertise make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the art business.

 

Links:

https://www.auktionshauswendl.de/tcms/en/ 

https://www.kulturstiftung.de/

https://www.degruyter.com/document/isbn/9783110744507/html 

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)

DR ADAM BUSIAKIEWICZ, ART HISTORIAN, LECTURER & LUTENIST

Dr Adam Busiakiewicz is an art historian, lecturer and lutenist. After completing his BA in History at University College London, Adam eventually went on to undertake a Master's Degree in Decorative and Fine Art at the Sotheby's Institute between 2013-14. His doctoral research focused on the collections and patronage of the Earls and Countesses of Warwick, and has subsequently worked as a Cataloguer in the Old Master Paintings department at Sotheby's where he remains as a Consultant. Adam is also the co-editor of www.arthistorynews.com, one of the internet's most popular art history blogs.

 

And relevant links:

 

BBC - Henry VIII Discovery Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRIE9xFAPTE

 

CNN - Henry VIII Discovery Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzJ3vbs0Wyg 

 

Henry VIII Blog: https://adamfineart.wordpress.com/2024/07/04/ralph-sheldons-portrait-of-henry-viii-reidentified/

 

 

Guys Cliffe House Website: https://www.guyscliffehouse.co.uk/

 

Lute Videos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGFP5KHHNWW/?igsh=azdyNm45NWZocXJn

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1r6Movo-hl/?igsh=MXhqdTBvc3QwMHg0bQ%3D%3D

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOzUY8hZfEA&t=94s

 

Art Blog: www.arthistorynews.com

 

 

 

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)

BETTY BRICEÑO, ART MARKET SPECIALIST & ARTS ADMINISTRATOR

Betty Briceño is an art market specialist and arts administrator with 10+ years of experience in the international art world, spanning the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. She most recently served as Individual Giving Officer for the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, where she was responsible for cultivating and stewarding donor relationships. Her previous professional experiences also include serving as Cultural Affairs & Art in Public Places Coordinator for the City of Miami Beach as well as Studio Manager for Mexico City-based visual artist Pedro Reyes.

Betty holds a Master’s degree in Art Business from Sotheby's Institute of Art, London, a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Universidad Central de Venezuela, and a postgraduate diploma in Museum Studies from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Before concentrating her career in the art world, Betty worked as political advisor for the Embassy of Canada in Venezuela.

 

She recently moved to Chicago where she lives with her partner, Orchestral Conductor Chad Goodman.

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)

LINDSAY DEWAR & MEGAN CORCORAN LOCKE, ART MARKET ANALYSTS

Lindsay Dewar is the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Analytics, and has been with ArtTactic since 2017. Leading the analytics and research team, she is responsible for developing research and products. She also runs the mentoring and internship programmes. Lindsay regularly speaks about the art market on panels and gives lectures at Kingston University on the MA Art Business course. She also is an active member of the Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA). Her art world experience includes emerging Contemporary art galleries, art advisories and valuation companies, as well as various art research positions. She holds a Masters in Art Business from Sotheby's Institute of Art, and a Masters in Art Market Appraisal from Kingston University.

 

Megan Corcoran Locke, ArtTactic’s Head of Business Development, has been with ArtTactic in varying capacities since 2016, originally as part of the research team focusing on the Old Masters. Her continuing tenure at Stephen Ongpin Fine Art as Gallery Director has given her a range of experiences within the commercial art world, from sales and acquisitions, investment, to collections management, as she has grown with the gallery from intern to director. She has guest lectured at Sotheby's Institute and been interviewed for podcasts and art publications. Prior to Megan's venture into the art world, she worked at Barclays Capital in Fixed Income Sales, honing her skills in research and analysis. Megan holds a Bachelor's in History of Art and Architecture from Harvard University and a Master's in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

 

Links: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-corcoran-locke-210153254/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-dewar-55953736/

https://artforecaster.com/

https://arttactic.com/

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)

APARAJITA JAIN, DIRECTOR NATURE MORTE GALLERY

Aparajita Jain is a leading entrepreneur based in New Delhi. She is the Managing Director of Nature Morte Art Limited, India’s leading Contemporary Art Gallery. Her vision has fostered significant growth for the gallery, presenting and amplifying leading South Asian and global artists across two galleries in Delhi and one in Mumbai. Jain’s focus on institutional relationships has led to major museum acquisitions and positioned the gallery’s artists in exhibitions at prestigious museums, biennials, and public sites globally. Jain has also spearheaded and supported ongoing collaborations and partnerships with leading institutions in India and abroad, including KNMA, NMACC, the Jindal Foundation, the Godrej Foundation, Somerset House, and others. 

 

In 2010, Jain founded The Saat Saath Arts Foundation (SSA), envisioning it as a not-for-profit initiative to foster creative dialogue between Indian artists and the international art world. SSA launched India’s first international Sculpture Park in Jaipur in 2017 as a public-private partnership in collaboration with the Government of Rajasthan, and currently presents a new set of site-specific installations annually. The Foundation also supports an annual grant for leading global curators to conduct research in India. 

 

Jain is the founder of blockchain-based platform Terrain.art, which partnered with MAP Academy on the first-ever online course on modern and contemporary Indian art. Her dedication to educational initiatives has also included a series co-hosted with Peter Nagy called Art Insider on NDTV. 

Among many accolades, Jain was listed as one among eight influential women in the Indian art world by Artsy, one of 30 influential women in the art world by ELLE magazine, recognised as one of Shethepeople’s 40 over 40 awardees, amongst the 51 art people changing the art world by Observer, and amongst the top 100 creatives in India by Harper's Bazaar. She was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by FICCI FLO in 2019 for her contribution to the field of art and is currently on the advisory board of ICCR. She has recently been inducted onto the Board of Trustees of the International Sculpture Center.

Aparajita Jain is also a Director of the Hotz Group with interests in Financial Services, Real Estate, Hospitality, Art and Education. Nature Morte Art Limited is a part of the Hotz Group.

 

Links: 

https://naturemorte.com/

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)

ANDREI JECZA CONTEMPORARY GALLERIST

Born into an artist family, Andrei Petru Jecza is the son of the sculptor Peter Jecza. He studied at a German high school in his hometown, Nikolaus Lenau, before earning two separate degrees in Video Art, Photography and History of Fine Art at the West University of Timisoara. He later completed with merit a Masters in Art Business at Sotheby's Institute of Art in London. Currently he runs his own commercial gallery and became more recently the executive director of the Jecza Museum & Triade Foundation. Andrei Jecza is committed to promote and represent mainly Romanian artists who pioneered experimental art forms in the early 1960s and 70s, being also concerned with cutting edge contemporary artists. Through international connections and partnerships, he developed the reputation of the artists he represents, succeeding in placing them in international well-known collections, like the MUMOK Museum of Contemporary Art in Vienna, MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow, Ritter Collection in Germany, Tate Modern in London etc.

Andrei Jecza’s main activity is dedicated to Jecza Gallery, which is trying to become the platform for contemporary art in West Romania.

In 2023 alongside other eight contemporary art galleries Andrei Jecza co-founded RAD Art Fair in Bucharest. For 2024 Jecza Gallery produced an exhibition of Tincuta Marin which opened within the opening week of Venice Biennale in Venice. By the end of 2024 Jecza Gallery will have a second gallery space in Bucharest.

Andrei Jecza’s long term goal is to bring Romanian contemporary art to international acknowledgment.

 

Links:

www.JeczaGallery.com

 

https://www.instagram.com/jecza_gallery?igsh=MTZ1N3R5YnFsNnp4bA==

 

https://www.instagram.com/tincuta.marin?igsh=NjR6ajdiYmxkZTYw

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)

LOUIS BUYSSE, MODERN & CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERIST

From his childhood initiation into the arts at the Academy de Beaux-Arts in Bruges, Louis Buysse has fostered a deep connection with art, design, architecture, and craftsmanship. This early start paved the way for a life steeped in creativity and a broad understanding of artistic techniques and mediums.

His educational journey, marked by a fusion of artistic and business acumen, began with an architecture-focused secondary education, followed by a degree from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (KASK). Here, under the mentorship of notable Belgian artists like Vincent Geyskens and Narcisse Tordoir, Louis delved into fine arts and contemporary art.

Continuing to bridge his artistic passions with business savvy, Louis pursued international business studies, with a focus on digital marketing and corporate finance, at Tughai University in Taiwan. This multidisciplinary approach culminated in a Master’s in Art Business at the prestigious Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. His dissertation on cross-collecting reflects a unique approach to art - collecting based on art history, personal identity, and intuition, resonating with Clement Greenberg's philosophy.

Louis's professional path led him to Lempertz, a family-owned auction house with deep roots in the art world, where he specialized in Modern and Contemporary Art. In 2022, he embarked on a new journey, focusing on project-based work like Triangle Knokke and offering his expertise as an art consultant to galleries and online auction houses.

His recent role as a sales director at Nosbaum Reding gallery in Brussels further illustrates his ability to connect artists with the market, as seen in his introduction of Vincent Geyskens to the Flemish art scene. Despite leaving before the 'Par Contre' exhibition launch, Louis continues to push the boundaries of art and business.

The 2024 relaunch of louisbuysse.com marks a new chapter in Louis's career, one focused on increasing market visibility and pioneering new projects. His dedication to blending artistic creativity with business insight shines through his work, as he continues to inspire and transform the art world.

 

Links:

https://www.louisbuysse.com/ 

https://www.buysse.gallery/ 

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)

VIRGINIA DAMTSA, GALLERIST & CURATOR

Virginia Damtsa- CULTIVATING ARTISTIC FUTURES & CATALYST FOR CONTEMPORARY VISIONARIES

 

With a wealth of experience spanning twenty-seven years, Virginia Damtsa, Director of VVA VirginiaVisualArts Ltd., stands as a seasoned and respected Art Dealer, Art Gallerist, Curator, Cultural Strategist and Artist Agent, bringing a unique and invaluable perspective to the art world. Damtsa's passion for the arts began at a young age when she helped her uncle open the Museum of Alekos K. Damtsa in The Art Centre Giorgio de Chirico at just sixteen years old. She went on to pursue History of Arts in Cambridge followed by two Master's degrees in Art Management at the University of the Arts and Contemporary Art at Sotheby's, where she honed her expertise in the field. 

 

Throughout her career, Damtsa has curated several exhibitions in her personal gallery space, as well as in other galleries, temporary spaces and art fairs. From 2003-2017, she co-owned with composer and writer Tot Taylor, Riflemaker London, a contemporary art gallery housed in a historic gunmaker's workshop off Regent Street. Built in 1712, it is one of the oldest public buildings in the West End of London. 

 

In addition to her work as a gallerist and curator, Damtsa has also lectured at Christie's for the Master's degree in Art, Law, and Business. Damtsa, who co- founded iconic gallery Riflemaker, counts Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran and Michael Seresin, cinematographer of Harry Potter, amongst her collectors. Annie Lennox has also been a long- standing enthusiast of the gallery’s representation of visionary powerful artists. Virginia Damtsa has also worked with musician Peter Gabriel on an art and music project for his new album, i/o. The project features renowned artists such as Annette Messager, Olafur Eliasson, Ai Weiwei, Tim Shaw, Nick Cave, David Spriggs, Cornelia Parker, and many others. Damtsa is currently planning to tour the project in various museums.

 

With her extensive experience and impressive network of industry connections, Virginia Damtsa continues to push boundaries and expand the reach of contemporary art. 

         

Curated Exhibitions

Damtsa curated several exhibitions with emerging and established artists such as Martin Kippenberger and Maria Papadimitriou, Judy Chicago, Takis, Yoko Ono, William S. Burroughs, Liliane Lijn, Penelope Slinger, Gavin Turk, Alice Anderson, Chris Levine, Christopher Bucklow, John Maeda, Julie Verhoeven, Ralph Ziman, Conrad Shawcross, Wolfe von Lenkiewicz and many others. 

 

She also worked with legendary musician Peter Gabriel and his team for an amazing collaboration of art and music bringing artists such as Ai Weiwei, Cornelia Parker, Judy Chicago, Nick Cave, Olafur Eliasson, Tomas Saraceno, Barthelemy Toguo, Annette Messager, Tim Spriggs, for an impressive immersive exhibition live and online. The album is now number one in the UK. 

 

Virginia Damtsa is a highly respected art dealer, curator, and gallerist with a deep understanding of the art market. In 2018, she founded VirginiaVisualArts, an art agency and gallery that represents more than fifty artists and manages their careers, introducing them to new opportunities, exhibitions, museums and collectors. 

As a strategist, mentor, advisor, consultant, and PR expert, Damtsa provides artists with the support they need to break into the art market and achieve their full potential. She is deeply committed to working closely with each artist, guiding them through the art world's complexities and assisting with sales and promotions. 

In addition to her work with VirginiaVisualArts, Damtsa runs her own art school, where she teaches professionals about art history and the art market. She also provides mentorship and guidance to artists and creatives and writes about art in major financial newspapers. Her expertise has also led to numerous appearances on TV as an Art World Expert, where she shares her insights on the contemporary art world. 

 

Damtsa curates over twenty exhibitions per year and uses several exhibition spaces in Fitzrovia, Marylebone, Mayfair, Notting Hill and other galleries to showcase her artists' works. She actively participates in art fairs and collaborates with other galleries to curate exhibitions and create connections and sales between artists, galleries, major collectors, and museums. With her extensive experience, vast network of connections, and in-depth knowledge of the arts and the art world, Virginia Damtsa continues to make a significant contribution to the contemporary art scene, empowering artists to achieve their full potential and bringing their works to new audiences. 

 

Reference

All artists need help and support to build their careers and Virginia Damtsa is well equipped to provide that. Judy Chicago, Artist 

 

I worked with Virginia on the IO art & music project where she coordinated and helped to select artists for each of the different songs. It has been a pleasure to work with her. She made some great recommendations, was very thorough putting everything together and her deep knowledge of the art world was a real asset for our project. 

Peter Gabriel, Musician

 

Links:

www.virginiavisualarts.com

www.virginiadamtsa.com 

www.riflemaker.org

Instagram:virginia_damtsa

virginia@virginiadamtsa.com 

https://youtu.be/cjRcBK_ztrI​ 

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)

ADAM BLACKWOOD, PRIVATE DRAMA EVENTS

Adam Blackwood trained as a professional actor at RADA and has over 25 years’ experience working in film, theatre and television.  In 2002 he founded Private Drama Events, the UK’s leading multi-award-winning experiential and events agency, while also overseeing the corporate theatre space for several years at The Globe Theatre with fellow RADA alumni Mark Rylance.

 

Today, Adam is one of the UK’s top creative directors and is renowned for his expertise, knowledge and passion for the arts and brings a unique understanding of how to create and develop theatrical, immersive performances. 

 

Private Drama Events provides artists and shows for some of the world’s most recognised luxury brands, corporates, charities and private clients.  Past and present clients include Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and British Pullman, Belmond Trains, Save the Children Fund, One Young World, Veuve Clicquot, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Goldman Sachs, Prince’s Trust and numerous private clients.

 

In 2020 Private Drama Events was the Gold Winner for Best Conference at The Evcom London Live Awards for its work on the One Young World London Summit.

 

Links:

www.privatedramaevents.com   @privatedramaevents   @adamblackwood01

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)

SHARON OBUOBI, AFRICAN ART EXPERT & ART/LUXURY FINANCIAL ASSET ANALYST

Sharon Obuobi is a talented entrepreneur with experience in art, business and technology. She currently conducts research in data science and innovation for fintech and insurtech use cases. Her business Alt/Finance develops solutions which optimise market intelligence to improve the experience of consumers in these industries. Alt/Finance was launched at the TechCrunch Disrupt stage in San Francisco in September, and was selected for the Techstars New York accelerator.

 

In 2022, she was recently featured as a top 10 founder by the Telegraph x Natwest's initiative recognizing 100 UK female founders. She was also in Apollo Magazine's 2021 global list of 40 under 40 art tech innovators. With art business experience in New York, Lagos, and Toronto, Sharon established the Modern & Contemporary African Art business at Sotheby's. During her role, the department sold over 5 million GBP of art, and broke 25 world records for sale prices.

 

Sharon graduated with a B'Comm from Queen's University in Kingston, Canada. She has been featured on CNN, the Financial Times, Virgin Magazine, Tush Magazine Nigeria, NKA Journal, IRAAA Journal, Konbini, iPaper, and more.

 

Links:

https://www.altfndata.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonobuobi/ 

 

music

‘Baby, I Miss The Internet’ (Rama, Rama, Rama) 

by TOT TAYLOR

is used by kind permission of the artist

©Tot Taylor/Songmatic Music (2020)