Introduction
Renowned artist Jeffrey Gibson, set to represent the United States at the 2024 Venice Biennale, has filed a lawsuit against his former gallery, Kavi Gupta, claiming that the gallery has withheld over $600,000 in owed funds. The legal battle sheds light on a dispute over the terms of their agreement and the investments made by the gallery in the artist’s work.
The Lawsuit and Allegations
Filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in early May, Gibson’s lawsuit asserts that Kavi Gupta owes him a total of $638,919.31 for artworks it has sold on his behalf. According to Gibson’s claims, the gallery has failed to remit his full share of sales proceeds in a timely manner, leading him to take legal action to secure the owed amount along with additional compensation as permitted by law.
Gallery Denies Allegations and Cites Investment
In a response filed last week, Kavi Gupta denies the allegations put forth by Gibson. The gallery disputes the terms outlined in the artist’s lawsuit and emphasizes its significant financial contributions toward producing Gibson’s artworks. Gupta, in an affidavit, states that the gallery has invested substantially in supporting Gibson, including covering vendor costs and production expenses. He contends that Gibson had begun asserting his claims for owed funds only in 2022.
The Agreement and Disagreements
Gibson’s lawsuit claims that in 2018, he and Kavi Gupta reached an agreement wherein the artist would retain 50 percent of the sales proceeds from his artwork sold by the gallery. However, disputes have arisen regarding the scope of the reimbursable funds. According to Gibson, he was only obligated to repay framing costs for consigned works that were unframed. In contrast, Gupta asserts that the gallery expected reimbursement for more than just framing expenses.
Gallery’s Investment and Artist’s Benefit
Gupta’s affidavit reveals that the gallery has invested a substantial sum, amounting to $764,600, in supporting Jeffrey Gibson’s artistic endeavors. He argues that the artist has substantially benefited from the gallery’s efforts and financial support. Gupta mentions the substantial financial assistance provided to Gibson during the challenging period of the pandemic, which included vendor costs and production expenses.
Artistic Achievements Amidst the Legal Battle
Jeffrey Gibson, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, has been recognized for his innovative artworks that blend Western modernism and Native American craft. Despite the legal dispute, Gibson’s artistic achievements continue to flourish. His work is being showcased in multiple museums across the country, including exhibitions at the CCS Bard Hessel Museum of Art in Upstate New York, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in Arizona, and the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas.
Upcoming Endeavors and Departures from Kavi Gupta
Gibson’s upcoming endeavors include the release of a book on contemporary Indigenous art and participation in a significant survey of weaving and abstraction at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art later this year. Notably, he has been selected to represent the United States solo at the 2024 Venice Biennale. Meanwhile, Kavi Gupta has experienced departures of other artists, including Deborah Kass and Suchitra Mattai, though reasons for their departures remain undisclosed.
Conclusion
The legal battle between Jeffrey Gibson and Kavi Gupta highlights the complexities that can arise in the art world when financial agreements and investments intersect with artistic collaboration. As both sides present their arguments, the case raises questions about the extent of financial responsibility galleries bear in supporting artists’ careers and the need for clear and mutually agreed-upon terms in such arrangements. Amidst the legal proceedings, Gibson’s artistic achievements continue to shine on various platforms, further solidifying his position in the contemporary art scene.
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