Move: Henry Wyndham and Melanie Clore leave Sotheby’s
Background:
The exodus of senior staff at Sotheby’s continued with the departure of the firm’s senior auctioneer (Wyndham) and co-chairman of the Impressionist & Modern art department (Clore). Former co-chairmen of Sotheby’s Europe, both had been at the firm for a generation, 22 years and 35 years respectively.
Significance:
It emerged in July that the pair would together launch their own art advisory firm company and Clore Wyndham Fine Art began business later in the year.
Move: Dr Clare McAndrew from TEFAF to Art Basel
Background:
Leading art market economist McAndrew compiled the TEFAF Art Market Report for eight years before switching allegiance in June. While TEFAF said it will maintain its report, The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report is set for release in Hong Kong in March.
Significance:
The value of art market data is rising. McAndrew’s annual report has become the go-to place for art market statistics – and the source of considerable publicity for TEFAF.
Move: Cheyenne Westphal from Sotheby’s to Phillips
Background:
Sotheby’s corporate shake-up prompted high-profile departures. Westphal, who started at Sotheby’s in 1996, had focused on Contemporary art, as the architect of auctions such as the 2008 Damien Hirst sale Beautiful Inside My Head Forever. By May this Sotheby’s ‘lifer’ was chairman of Phillips.
Significance:
A coup for Phillips. With the departure of co-head Alex Rotter for Christie’s the previous month, Sotheby’s Contemporary department loses its two rainmakers. Christie’s, meanwhile, did not get to hammer home an apparent competitive advantage. Its primary business-getter Brett Gorvy announced in December he would be leaving to join forces with the dealer Dominique Lévy.
Move: Hugh Edmeades from Christie’s to consultancy
Background:
Christie’s gavel-master Hugh Edmeades took 2300 auctions, selling more than 300,000 lots during his 38-year career. He stood down from his full-time job in the autumn and is now an independent freelance auctioneer.
Significance:
Edmeades retains his title of international auctioneer for Christie’s.
Move: Richard Gold from Lawrences to Duke’s
Background:
Gold, one of the best-known regional valuers and auctioneers, left Lawrences of Crewkerne where he had been for more than 30 years to freelance for the Dorchester firm.
Significance:
Duke’s has expanded its reach with the aid of a former local rival. Later in the year, Yorkshireman Adam Schoon followed suit, joining Duke’s as a consultant to head its Asian art department. He had spent more than 20 years with Tennants in Leyburn.
For our full list see ATG No 2272.
