German galleries around the world
How two of Germany’s most renowned art galleries have established global networks.
When Monika Sprüth opened her first gallery in Cologne in 1983, she knew that she would also need a branch in New York sooner or later. The German gallery owner firmly believes that success in the international art scene means keeping one’s finger on the pulse - of what is happening worldwide. In 1998, she and her colleague Philomene Magers founded the Sprüth Magers gallery in Munich. This was followed in 2003 by a branch in London, and in 2008 the by then globally renowned gallery moved to Berlin. Sprüth Magers has had a branch in Los Angeles since 2016, and in 2022 finally opened its New York gallery. The company also has offices in Hong Kong and Seoul, as Asia is an important art market too.
Sprüth-Magers: close ties to local artists
Sprüth and Magers believe it is important to have close, almost family-like ties to their local artists. These include top US artists such as Cindy Sherman from New York and John Baldessari from California, but also for example Cao Fei from Beijing. They want their galleries to be welcoming places, not only for these established stars but also for up-and-coming young artists and anyone interested in art. As members of the “Gallery Climate Coalition” founded in Berlin in 2022, Sprüth and Magers are thinking about how digital formats or collaborations could make their activities more sustainable. This is also a topical issue in today’s art world.
Peres Projects: Branches in Seoul and Milan
Javier Peres is also well aware that a successful gallery owner in a globalised world needs a global clientele. After something of a bumpy start in San Francisco, the former lawyer moved his gallery Peres Projects to Los Angeles in 2003, where his exhibitions caused quite a stir. Since 2005, Peres’ gallery has been based in Berlin, where he and the artists he represents - such as Terence Koh or Banks Violette - have rapidly made a name for themselves.
In the meantime Peres has opened branches in Seoul and Milan – cities that have evolved to become important centres for art thanks to the Frieze Seoul art fair, affluent collectors and the influence of Milan’s design and fashion industry.
