The gender pay gap at Sotheby’s and Christie’s has widened since 2020 + Other stories

Art Industry News is a daily summary of the most important developments in the art world and the art market. Here’s what you need to know this Wednesday, April 5.

NEED TO READ

Provenance research Christie’s Amps Up – To mark the 25th anniversary of the Washington Principles this year, Christie’s is launching the Christie’s Grant 2023 for Nazi-era Provenance Research. Three international scholars will each receive £5,000 ($6,240) to fund related research and professional mentorship with a member of Christie’s international restitution team. Applications are due May 31 and winners will be announced December 3. (Press release)

White Cube Founder’s Daughter Opens Gallery – Angelica Jopling, the daughter of dealer Jay Jopling, is launching a new venue called Incubator in Marylebone, London. The space previously held pop-up solo shows around Soho, but this is the first permanent space, and it will open seasonally with two-week shows. (The arts journal)

The gender pay gap at auction houses – Bonhams has announced that its pay gap for 2022 has narrowed, with women being paid 92 pence ($1.15) for every pound ($1.25) men earn. It is the closest parity of any major auction house since the UK government adopted a policy that firms with more than 250 employees must submit wage data. The figures represent a 39% improvement on 2021. Christie’s and Sotheby’s are still lagging behind, with statistics from both houses showing that pay conditions between the sexes have deteriorated since 2020. (TANNING)

NY to return ‘Earth Monster’ sculpture to Mexico – A one-ton statue dating to the Olmec period (between 1600 BC and 350 BC) has been returned to Mexico after being recovered by the Manhattan DA Antiquities Trafficking Unit. The five-foot-tall figure has open eyes and jaws, which signal a gateway to the underworld; the three bands that surround its mouth represent access to a cave, according to an expert. (TANNING)

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Major gift to the Seattle Art Museum – Former Microsoft Chairman Jon Shirley and his wife Kim are donating their vast treasury of 48 works by Calder, valued at $200 million. The Shirleys are trustees of SAM and also provide the museum with a $10 million endowment and an annual commitment of $250,000 to $500,000 for programming and research on Calder’s work and legacy. An exhibit celebrating the donation is planned for November. (ART news)

First art director of MOCAD – The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit appointed Jova Lynne as inaugural Artistic Director; she will co-lead the institution with Chief Operating Officer Marie Madison-Patton. Lynne first joined MOCAD as a Ford Foundation Fellow in 2017 and has been a Senior Curator since 2019. (Press release)

2023 Helsinki Biennale names participants and curator – Polish-born, UK-based curator Joasia Krysa will direct the next Biennale, which opens on June 12 in Helsinki. Titled “New Directions May Emerge,” the second iteration includes 50% new commissions and site-specific works, with 29 artists and participants; Krysa will collaborate with five curatorial entities: Critical Environmental Data, Museum of Impossible Forms, TBA21-Academy, ViCCA @ Aalto Arts and an IA entity. (Press release)

FOR ART

A fashion collection inspired by museum restorers – Erdem Moralıoğlu, whose eponymous label has been worn by Michelle Obama and Kate, Princess of Wales, called on museum conservators for his Spring-Summer 2023 collection. The Renaissance canvases and tables of conservation materials that inspired his spring/summer 2023 collection. Copies of labels used by restorers to classify works of art appeared to be sewn into the hems; References to Renaissance painting and canvas abound, as do homages to protective vellums and dust sheets that have been interpreted as veils of glass organza draped over embellished dresses. (FinancialTimes)