Hauser & Wirth

Hauser & Wirth
EmmaPalmer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Hauser & Wirth
Established	1992
Founders	Iwan Wirth, Manuela Wirth, Ursula Hauser
Type	Commercial art gallery
Locations	Zürich, London, New York City, Los Angeles, Somerset, St. Moritz, Menorca, Monaco, Hong Kong, Gstaad
Key people	Marc Payot, Ewan Venters

Hauser & Wirth. Founded in 1992 by Iwan Wirth, Manuela Wirth, and Ursula Hauser, the gallery has grown into a global powerhouse in the secondary market for modern art and the primary market for leading contemporary artists. With a distinctive model that integrates ambitious exhibitions, scholarly art book publishing, and immersive art center experiences in rural locations, it represents estates of seminal 20th-century figures and a robust roster of international contemporary practitioners. Its expansion has significantly influenced the global art market, paralleling the growth of other major galleries like Gagosian and David Zwirner.

History

The gallery's origins trace to Zürich in 1992, initially focusing on classic modernism and artists like Fernand Léger and Pablo Picasso. A pivotal early relationship was with the estate of Arshile Gorky, establishing a reputation for handling significant artist estates. The 2000 opening of a London space in Piccadilly marked its first major international expansion, followed by a pivotal move to the city's Savile Row. The gallery's strategy evolved under the leadership of Iwan Wirth and President Marc Payot, blending blue-chip art market activities with a quasi-institutional approach. Major milestones include the 2009 representation of the Louise Bourgeois estate, the 2014 transformation of a historic Durslade Farm in Somerset into a multidisciplinary art center, and subsequent openings in Los Angeles's Arts District and a vast complex in New York City's Chelsea.

Galleries and locations

The gallery operates a global network of exhibition spaces, each with a distinct architectural and programmatic identity. Its European hubs include the original Zürich gallery, a London presence on Savile Row and in Mayfair, and seasonal spaces in St. Moritz and Gstaad. In 2018, it opened a gallery in the historic Hôtel de la Salle in Monaco. Its rural anchors are the acclaimed Hauser & Wirth Somerset at Durslade Farm and Hauser & Wirth Menorca on the island of Illa del Rei. In the United States, key locations are the Los Angeles gallery in a former flour mill, the mammoth Chelsea building in New York City, and a gallery in Southampton, New York. Its Asian presence is anchored by a space in Hong Kong's H Queen's building.

Artists and exhibitions

The gallery represents a prestigious list of artist estates and living artists, shaping contemporary discourse through its exhibition program. Key historical estates include those of Philip Guston, Eva Hesse, Maria Lassnig, Fausto Melotti, Henry Moore, and David Smith. Prominent living artists on its roster feature Mark Bradford, George Condo, Roni Horn, Pierre Huyghe, Guillermo Kuitca, Lee Lozano, Paul McCarthy, and Pipilotti Rist. The gallery has mounted historically significant shows, such as the 2015 Los Angeles survey of Arshile Gorky and major presentations of Louise Bourgeois's work. It also stages exhibitions of modern masters like Jean Arp and Francis Picabia from collaborating estates.

Publications and art books

A cornerstone of its scholarly activity is an extensive publishing program under the Hauser & Wirth Publishers imprint. This division produces meticulously researched catalogues raisonnés, exhibition catalogues, and artist monographs, often in collaboration with academic institutions and major publishing houses like Rizzoli. Notable publications include the multi-volume catalogue raisonné for Philip Guston and comprehensive studies on artists like Eva Hesse and David Smith. These publications are distributed globally and reinforce the gallery's commitment to art historical research and legacy-building for its artists.

Cultural and community initiatives

Beyond commercial exhibitions, the gallery engages in public-facing, nonprofit initiatives, primarily through its rural locations. Hauser & Wirth Somerset and Hauser & Wirth Menorca function as cultural hubs, featuring gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, educational programs, and artist residencies. These sites host community events, workshops, and partnerships with local organizations, aiming to foster art education and sustainable agriculture. In Los Angeles, the gallery has supported local arts nonprofits and public art projects, contributing to the cultural infrastructure of cities like Los Angeles and New York City.

Leadership and key figures

The gallery's vision is driven by its founders: President Iwan Wirth, co-founder Manuela Wirth, and Ursula Hauser. Day-to-day global operations and artist relationships are overseen by Partner and President Marc Payot. Other key leadership includes Ewan Venters, CEO of Artfarm, the gallery's hospitality and property arm responsible for ventures like the Roth Bar & Grill and the Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar. The gallery's growth has been supported by a senior team of directors and curators with backgrounds at major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and the Tate.

Category:Art galleries in Switzerland Category:Art galleries in London Category:Art galleries in New York City Category:Art galleries in Los Angeles Category:Art galleries established in 1992