Renowned art dealer Jack Shainman opens his stunning new gallery in the historic Clock Tower Building, marking a bold move in the ever-changing art market. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition features Nick Cave’s monumental sculpture Amalgam (Origin), a powerful statement on rebirth and transformation.
The Visionary Behind the New Jack Shainman Gallery: A Conversation with Elisa Carollo
Ambition Meets Opportunity in Tribeca
The start of each new season in New York is typically marked by the unveiling of a series of high-profile exhibitions. However, this year art dealer Jack Shainman seized the spotlight with the opening of his stunning new venue in the historic Clock Tower Building at 46 Lafayette Street in Downtown Tribeca. A former bank adorned with lavish Beaux-Arts details, the space is an architectural gem, but it took three years of negotiations and renovations to bring this ambitious project to life—a bold move in a market navigating a period of recalibration.
Jack Shainman is a renowned American art dealer and gallerist, known for his innovative approach to showcasing contemporary artists.
Based in New York City, he founded the Jack Shainman Gallery in 1992, which has become a leading platform for emerging and established artists alike.
The gallery's exhibitions often focus on socially conscious themes, highlighting issues such as racism, inequality, and environmental degradation.
Shainman's commitment to promoting diverse voices has earned him widespread recognition within the art world.
Shainman’s Commitment to Artist Ambition
‘If someone had told me at the beginning how hard and lengthy the process was going to be, I’m not sure I would have done it,’ Shainman tells Observer. ‘It has been like highs and lows, you can’t imagine, but I knew it was going to be worth it.’ The gallery’s new location is a testament to Shainman’s unwavering commitment to supporting artists who push the boundaries of their craft.
Nick Cave’s Monumental Sculpture Takes Center Stage
Just days after first seeing the space, Shainman brought in one of his top artists, Nick Cave. ‘He and his partner came early on to New York, and I showed them the space. They were so blown away. Nick and I looked at each other like we just knew that he had to be the first show.’ Now, Cave’s monumental sculpture commands the main gallery hall—the latest and most towering iteration of his iconic Soundsuits series, standing twenty-six feet tall in bronze.
Nick Cave is a renowned Australian musician, singer-songwriter, and actor.
Born on September 22, 1957, in Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia, he rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the post-punk band The Birthday Party.
Cave's distinctive baritone voice and poetic lyrics have captivated audiences worldwide with bands such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Grinderman.
He has also pursued a successful acting career, appearing in films like 'To Die For' and 'The Proposition'.
The Intersection of Art and Politics
Titled ‘Amalgam (Origin)’, the sculpture is a powerful statement on rebirth, regeneration, and transformation—an emblem of resilience, even in times of destruction and despair. ‘It was an opportunity for Nick to realize a vision he had been talking about for years,’ Shainman says. ‘Nick’s work has so much resonance, and it talks to so many people.’
A Legacy of Supporting Emerging Artists
Over his four-decade career—dating back to the opening of his first gallery in D.C. in 1984—Shainman has never hesitated to step up in defense of the artists he believes in, no matter the scale of their ambition. For him, this has always been a key factor in identifying artistic talent and perspective.
A Commitment to Quality-Centered Programming
The gallery has always prioritized institutional recognition for its artists, but sales remain crucial. ‘It’s always a mix,’ Shainman says, acknowledging the financial realities that come with sustaining a career in an expensive city like New York. Artists need to support their studios, their families, and, in some cases, their high-cost lifestyles.
The global art market is a multibillion-dollar industry, with sales exceeding $65 billion in 2020.
The market is driven by demand for contemporary and modern art, with the majority of sales coming from auctions at major houses such as Christie's and Sotheby's.
Emerging markets like China and India are also contributing to growth, with a rise in local collectors and investors.
According to a report by Art Basel and UBS, 74% of global art buyers are now from emerging markets.
A Visionary Approach to Curation
Shainman remains optimistic about everything ahead for his landmark new destination gallery—especially with early sales already helping offset the monumental investment. The $2 million double sale of ‘Amalgam (an edition of eight)’, placed with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, is a promising start toward recouping the $18.2 million he has poured into the venue.
A Formula for Success
For Shainman, the formula for success has never changed: stay true to his artists and invest in their careers, above all else. ‘First and foremost, you have to believe in the work,’ he says. Reflecting on the impact of opening his largest flagship to date, he adds, ‘Something I’ve come to learn through opening our newest and largest flagship is that it truly intertwines with what our artists need to evolve creatively and in an environment that moves with such speed and excitement.’
A Space Built for Ambition
It’s a space built not just as a business venture but as a platform that can fully match the scale of his artists’ ambitions and talents. ‘Ultimately, if you can find a way to always return to what makes your artists’ practice grow, you’ll continually find that the art system stays true to the art itself.’
