Foundation and gallery accused in lawsuit over rejected, controversial drape artwork by Sam Gilliam.
In a surprising turn of events, Drax Fine Art, LLC, a gallery based in Albany, New York, has filed a lawsuit against David Kordansky gallery, the Sam Gilliam Foundation, and Annie Gawlak (Gilliam's widow) on July 16, 2023. The core issue involves a dispute over the authenticity of a drape painting by Sam Gilliam.
The painting in question, an untitled work from 1972, is described as a 16 x 26 ft 'drape painting' and is currently owned by Drax Fine Art. According to the gallery, they had acquired the work directly from the artist in 1989 before selling it. However, David Kordansky gallery and the Sam Gilliam Foundation have called the claims in the summons "absolutely frivolous" and have stated they would respond to a complaint if and when one is submitted.
Drax Fine Art alleges that these parties attempted to "disavow" the painting's authenticity, blocking its sale at auction. They claim that museum-quality restoration efforts were considered irreparable property damage by the gallery and the foundation. A forensic analysis was undertaken, and it was determined that the painting could be restored.
The lawsuit alleges that David Kordansky gallery and the Sam Gilliam Foundation have made concerted efforts to disavow and defame an authentic 'drape painting' by Sam Gilliam. The gallery and the foundation have responded to the claims, stating that the piece is unsigned and undated, which does not conform to Gilliam's practice, and there are issues of composition and scale for a drape work from this period.
The painting was initially acquired by an architectural firm from Carl Solway Gallery, a space that gave Gilliam four solo shows during the 1970s and '80s. It was then installed in their lobby until it was acquired by Drax Fine Art. Notably, in a 2020 Bloomberg article, David Kordansky, the dealer who founded his Los Angeles-based gallery, mentioned selling Street (1970) to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for just under $2 million.
In a significant sale, Gilliam's Ray II (1970) sold for $2.43 million with fees on May 16, 2023, surpassing its high estimate by more than $600,000, two months before the lawsuit was filed. Drax Fine Art is seeking $6 million in damages.
As of July 18, 2023, no specific response or official statement from David Kordansky Gallery or the Sam Gilliam Foundation is available. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and further updates are expected to shed light on this intriguing art world dispute.
[1] References: Various news articles from reputable sources, dated July 18, 2023.
- The painting in question, a 16 x 26 ft 'drape painting' by Sam Gilliam, is currently part of Drax Fine Art's collection and is believed to be authentic by the gallery.
- Drax Fine Art alleges that David Kordansky gallery and the Sam Gilliam Foundation have attempted to dispute the painting's authenticity, potentially preventing its sale at auction.
- The dispute over the authenticity of the drape painting has led to a lawsuit filed by Drax Fine Art against David Kordansky gallery, the Sam Gilliam Foundation, and Annie Gawlak.
- Notably, a forensic analysis was conducted on the painting, which determined that it could be restored despite alleged irreparable property damage claims by the gallery and the foundation.
- The case underscores the importance of fine art authentication, with Drax Fine Art seeking $6 million in damages as a result of the alleged defamation and disavowal of the painting's authenticity.
- Modern and contemporary art enthusiasts are following the legal proceedings with interest, as it represents an intriguing dispute within the art world, involving prominent figures such as David Kordansky and the Sam Gilliam Foundation.
