NEW YORK, NY.- Sara Kay announced the opening of her first gallery, Sara Kay Gallery, in a historic 19th century townhouse at 4 East 2nd Street on September 28, 2017. Sara Kay Gallery serves as the culmination of Kay’s 20-year career encompassing Old Masters to Contemporary Art. Her diverse expertise will drive the gallery’s genre-defying programming, which will span a wide range of art historical periods and movements, and provide an expansive vision for collecting. The gallery will also put a special emphasis on supporting female artists.
Prior to founding her art advisory business in 2015, Kay was Director of the prestigious gallery White Cube in London. Formerly, she served as Director of the Fine Art Department at the Jan Krugier Gallery, the exclusive agent for work by Pablo Picasso from the Marina Picasso Estate, and specialized in 19th and 20th century painting, drawing and sculpture. Previously, Kay served as a Specialist in Old Master Drawings at Christie’s auction house, leading the New York department. She is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Professional Organization for Women in the Arts, a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) that champions professionalism and the advancement of women in the business of fine art.
The gallery’s inaugural exhibition will thread together all elements of its unique mission. A Limitless Vision: The Collection of Audrey B. Heckler is a survey of one of the most comprehensive collections of outsider art globally, and a tribute to an esteemed New York collector. The exhibition follows the publication of the American Folk Art Museum’s monograph on Heckler’s remarkable collection, entitled The Hidden Art. The exhibition at Sara Kay Gallery will include the most rare and important examples of outsider art held in private hands, many on view to the public for the first time, and will illustrate Heckler’s unwavering passion, process and vision.
Accompanying Heckler’s collection will be the work of Pablo Picasso and Jean Dubuffet, artists who not only found inspiration in outsider art, but who helped propel the genre. On view will be a unique cast by Dubuffet and selection of unique ceramics by Picasso. Hand-sculpted and painted by the artist directly onto the surface, these works were individually chosen by Picasso for his own collection, and remained in his possession throughout his lifetime.
The gallery is delighted to announce that future programming will include a solo exhibition of artist Natalie Frank in conjuction with the launch of her publication The Story of O.
“I purposefully moved chronologically through art history over the couse of my twenty-year career,” said Kay. “This is an exciting extension of everything I have done.” The gallery eschews the traditional white box format, and instead features reinforced wooden beams, exposed brick, and wide plank floors in a townhouse setting. “I was attracted to the idea of a townhouse because it is multipurpose, and brings character and warmth,” said Kay.
Emmanuel Benador, a third-generation art dealer and former Director at Jan Krugier Gallery, will join the gallery as Director. Benador is a scholar in Old Masters and Modern works on paper. An expert on Picasso, Benador has authored numerous books—including Picasso: Master Printmaker, Rembrandt & Picasso: Tales of Lights and Lines, Closer to Nature: Gauguin and Picasso, Picasso: Portraits, and a soon-to-be released title on Paul Klee. Since 2010, Benador has advised institutions and collectors, and has curated exhibitions worldwide.
