New York Galleries: A Non-Profit Initiative Documenting their Legacies
A new non-profit initiative, the New York Gallery History Project, is creating a digital database of seminal New York gallery exhibitions, allowing free access to a wealth of visual records. Spearheaded by the Independent art fair and the Contemporary Art Library, the project aims to preserve and showcase influential exhibitions from New York galleries, spanning the mid-1980s to the present.
The online database serves as a valuable resource for artists, dealers, scholars, and the public, aiming to digitize and archive the city’s historic contemporary art scene. Elizabeth Dee, founder of Independent, and Forrest Arakawa-Nash, executive director of CAL, are leading this collaborative effort. By leveraging CAL’s extensive database and Independent’s connections, the initiative seeks to promote accessibility and preservation within the art community.
The project’s first installment will feature an exhibition archive from Jay Gorney Modern Art, a crucial space during the East Village art scene’s rise in the 1980s. With a focus on artists like Gillian Wearing and Haim Steinbach, the project aims to document and showcase pivotal moments in New York’s art history. The initiative will continue to partner with significant galleries and artist-run spaces to create a comprehensive library of exhibition records, ensuring the preservation of contemporary art history for future generations.
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Cillian O’Rourke, studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, where he majored in Visual Communication. His work spans graphic design, illustration, and branding, with a distinct minimalist style that emphasizes simplicity and impact. Cillian has collaborated with international brands and runs his own design studio focusing on creative solutions for startups.