What makes an art gallery a global phenomenon? Here at Gagosian, we’re about to find out. Gagosian isn’t just a gallery. It’s a network, a global force in the modern and contemporary art world. Founded in 1980 by Larry Gagosian, the gallery’s reach extends across continents, from New York to Los Angeles, London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Geneva, and even Hong Kong. Gagosian has seventeen exhibition spaces worldwide.
Larry Gagosian’s story is one of unexpected success. He started selling posters while attending UCLA, with no prior connection to the art world. This humble beginning evolved into a poster shop, then a gallery showcasing emerging contemporary artists in Los Angeles. His first Gagosian gallery opened in LA in 1980, featuring artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Salle, and Eric Fischl. By the mid-1980s, Gagosian’s eye turned towards the East Coast and the thriving New York art scene.
Gagosian’s New York journey began in SoHo. Early exhibitions focused on the New York School, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art. The gallery showcased early works by giants like Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and Willem de Kooning. Gagosian’s presence expanded in New York with galleries on 23rd Street and the prominent 980 Madison Avenue. These locations became important venues for exhibiting Andy Warhol’s work, in collaboration with the Andy Warhol Foundation. Exhibitions included Warhol’s Rorschach Paintings, Camouflage Paintings, and his Late Hand-Painted Paintings.
Gagosian continued to evolve, moving from SoHo to West 24th Street in Chelsea in 1999. This larger space accommodated large-scale works by artists like Richard Serra and Damien Hirst. Gagosian’s international expansion began in 2000 with a London gallery on Heddon Street, then the largest commercial art gallery in London. Back in New York, the gallery hosted Damien Hirst’s show “Models, Methods, Approaches, Assumptions, Results and Findings” in the same year.
In 2006, Gagosian added another Chelsea location on West 21st Street. This space, designed by Richard Gluckman, launched with a joint exhibition with the 24th Street gallery, “Cast a Cold Eye: The Late Works of Andy Warhol.” In 2009, the 21st Street gallery held an exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s late works entitled “Mosqueteros.” Gagosian’s expansion continues to this day. The gallery maintains a vibrant contemporary program featuring leading international artists like Georg Baselitz, Ellen Gallagher, and Jeff Koons. It also presents unparalleled historical exhibitions on legendary artists. Gagosian’s legacy is a testament to its founder’s vision and its unwavering commitment to the art world. From posters to Picassos, Gagosian has shaped the landscape of contemporary art.