PHILLIPS CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION OF 20TH CENTURY & CONTEMPORARY ART TEAM
Blake Koh, Jonathan Horwich, Kevie Yang, Valentina Garcia Add Depth Across Regions
NEW YORK, 5 MAY 2016 – Phillips is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its international team of specialists in 20th Century & Contemporary Art. Blake Koh is joining Phillips as a Senior Vice President and the regional representative for the West Coast, based in Los Angeles. Jonathan Horwich will become Senior Director and Specialist, 20th Century & Contemporary Art, based in London. Kevie Yang is joining the New York office as an Associate Vice President and Specialist in 20th Century & Contemporary Art. And Valentina Garcia is joining as a Specialist of Latin American Art, based in Miami.
As a key member of the Phillips Business Development team, Mr. Koh will play a significant role in building Phillips’ brand in Los Angeles, which has become one of the world’s great art destinations. In this role, he will work with Phillips art specialists and business-getters across all departmental categories to support the auction house’s business development efforts by cultivating networks of collectors, art dealers and enthusiasts. Mr. Koh joins Phillips from Sotheby’s, where he was a Senior Vice President and Senior Specialist in Los Angeles. He has 26 years of experience in the art world, including the last 14 in Los Angeles.
Mr. Horwich is an expert in 20th century art with a particular knowledge of Modern British Art, including such masters as Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, David Hockney and Frank Auerbach. He was most recently at auction house Bonhams, where he was Global Director of the Pictures Department. Prior to joining Bonhams, he spent more than 30 years at Christie’s in London, where he was involved with the sale of many notable individual works including Man with Red Hair by Francis Bacon, and in achieving new world records for paintings by L S Lowry, David Bomberg and Sir Stanley Spencer.
Ms. Yang joins Phillips from Christie’s New York, where she was an Associate Vice President, Specialist in Post-War & Contemporary Art, and head of the Afternoon Sale. Ms. Yang works closely with a number of top Asian-based private collectors and museums. While based in New York, she will continue to work in that regard, as well as with Phillips’ rapidly expanding contemporary art team in Asia.
Ms. Garcia joins Phillips from The Elkon Gallery, where she held the positions of Gallery Manager and Director in New York since 2004, and most recently served as Gallery Liaison based in Miami. She previously worked for Neuhoff Gallery and in Sotheby’s Latin American Art Department.
“These appointments take place as Phillips is building extraordinary momentum in 20th Century & Contemporary Art globally,” said Jean-Paul Engelen, Worldwide Head of Contemporary Art. “With decades upon decades of art market experience, this senior group of specialists will be at the forefront of initiatives in the coming year in pursuit of our resolve to serve our clients across multiple regions and collecting interests. By expanding our specialist teams and building a global platform, we will be uniquely positioned to work with our clients in a more comprehensive way across all of our company initiatives.”
“Art collecting is truly global and our clients wish to work across sale locations and collecting categories,” said Hugues Joffre, Chairman of UK and Europe and Worldwide Head of 20th Century Art. “I am delighted this new group of specialists have joined us, and I am particularly pleased that Jonathan Horwich is here to add great depth to our expertise in 20th Century Art, especially in works by Modern British Masters that have become extremely sough-after by collectors.”
In recent months, Phillips has significantly expanded its 20th Century & Contemporary Art department. Jonathan Crockett joined the company last month as Head of 20th Century & Contemporary Art and Deputy Chairman in Asia, along with Charlotte Raybaud as a Specialist in 20th Century & Contemporary Art in Hong Kong. Adding to the company’s international expansion, Kyoko Hattori recently started as the regional representative in Japan, Alice Trier joined the company as the regional representative in Germany, and Silvia Coxe Waltner is now the regional representative for the Northwest, based in Seattle.
The company expects to continue to add specialists to its 20th Century & Contemporary Art team in the next few months.
ABOUT PHILLIPS:
Phillips is a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century art and design. With dedicated expertise in the areas of Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry, Phillips offers professional services and advice on all aspects of collecting. Auctions and exhibitions are held at salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, while clients are further served through representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips also offers an online auction platform accessible anywhere in the world.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
PRESS CONTACTS:
NEW YORK - Michael Sherman, Chief Communications Officer | msherman@phillips.com | +1 212 940 1384
LONDON - Matthew Paton, Consultant matthew@patonarts.com +44 (0)7711 112425
HEADQUARTERS:
LONDON - 30 Berkeley Square, London W1J 6EX
NEW YORK - 450 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022
VISIT US AT: www.phillips.com
FOLLOW US ON: Twitter | Instagram | Vimeo | Facebook | Pinterest | Tumblr | LinkedIn