Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Turrell v. Hue-Williams Ends in a Draw

August 16, 2010 by Marion Maneker

The New York Times‘s Randy Kennedy reports that the unsettling lawsuit between artist James Turrell and his former London gallerist, Michael Hue-Williams has come to an end with a frosty exchange of compulsory letters and some cash:

As part of the settlement, Mr. Hue-Williams does not acknowledge selling the works in advance without Mr. Turrell’s authorization. But he is required to send a letter to the collectors who paid him for the works — known as the Tall Glass series — saying that “although I may have suggested to you that I had paid James his portion, at no time did I share with James any payments you made to me towards the purchase of a Tall Glass work.” (The money paid by the collectors was refunded, except for the payment for one Tall Glass work, for the collector Louise MacBain, which was completed.)

Mr. Hue-Williams also agreed not to sell at auction for at least three years any works he owned by Mr. Turrell. The Pace Gallery, which now represents Mr. Turrell, provided a copy of an e-mail that was included in the lawsuit in which Mr. Hue-Williams appears to explain to an associate that he had put up for auction several Turrell pieces to damage the market for the artist’s works, which Mr. Turrell asked him to stop. […]

Mr. Turrell, for his part, agreed to pay the dealer $125,000 in commissions for two existing works from another series that the Albion Gallery sold and to transfer title to two other works to Mr. Hue-Williams

James Turrell Settles Fight with Former Art Gallery (New York Times)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Zaretsky Declares Turrell VictoryZaretsky Declares Turrell Victory
  • Auction Houses Down 50% YoY in 2009Auction Houses Down 50% YoY in 2009
  • Heir Sues for Return of Warhol Portrait After 27-Year LoanHeir Sues for Return of Warhol Portrait After 27-Year Loan
  • China Is the Art MarketChina Is the Art Market
  • Alex Rotter & David Norman Leave Sotheby’s for Separate ProjectsAlex Rotter & David Norman Leave Sotheby’s for Separate Projects
  • $14.8 M. David Hockney Sunflowers Leads Sotheby’s $76.8 M. Hong Kong Contemporary Evening Sale$14.8 M. David Hockney Sunflowers Leads Sotheby’s $76.8 M. Hong Kong Contemporary Evening Sale

Filed Under: Artists Tagged With: James Turrell, Michael Hue-William

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor