This week in New York, new gallery ensemble opens with a group show, “plus one” (May 3-June 15, 2024). Starting a gallery is an enormous feat of strength and determination. Proposing an entirely new model for how a gallery can operate and support other galleries seems even more challenging, but that is exactly what the new Tribeca space ensemble plans to do.
New Gallery ensemble is Founded by Kirby Voigtman and John Dennehy
Courtesy of ensemble.
The gallery, founded by collectors Kirby Voigtman and John Dennehy, was born out of a desire to offer a new platform to support smaller galleries without a physical presence in New York. With the rising cost of rent and funds required to maintain a brick-and-mortar space, ensemble was designed as a way to provide a space for a carefully selected group of artists, curators, and other galleries to have access to their Tribeca location without the burden of maintaining a long-term lease with a support staff.
In addition to Voigtman and Dennehy, the space will be operated by artist and arts professional, Connor McNicholas, who will provide creative direction for the space, and Petra Bibeau, an art advisor, gallery director, and current Partner at Bibeau Krueger, who will manage the operations and sales.
Courtesy of ensemble.
It has become all too common that news breaks of a beloved New York City gallery closing with almost no warning. Few elements cohere in these spaces: rigorous programs, visionary founders, and incredible artists. Many also show work that doesn’t necessarily correlate with the biggest trends that dominate the art market. The artistic merit and historical significance of these gallerists and artists are profound, and until now, the primary way these programs continue forward is through partnering with larger blue-chip operations, either collegially or competitively.
A Sustainable New York Gallery Model
“The fierce competition and high costs associated with opening and managing a gallery have driven rampant risk aversion in the current art world, which has deprioritized programming that warrants criticality, opposition, and rigor,” said Bibeau. “With the introduction of ensemble, and with the collaboration of gallery partners, we are developing a sustainable and collaborative model that allows the conversation to broaden by including galleries and artists who may otherwise not have a reasonable opportunity to present in New York.”
ensemble’s Inaugural Show “plus one”
K.R.M. Mooney, “En V,” 2022, engraving block, polyurethane, cast mistletoe, bronze, silver, solder, gold, 7 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches, courtesy of artist and Altman Siegel, San Francisco.
In this spirit of collegiality, the gallery is hosting its first exhibition, which is split into two parts, the first opening on May 3, and the second opening on June 20. Entitled “plus one,” the show is organized around an ingenious premise that creates lively conversation between artists and friends. The gallery selected artist Quay Quinn Wolf, to find an artist to show alongside them, who chose K.R.M. Mooney. Mooney then chose SoiL Thornton, who chose Park McArthur, who chose Jason Hirata. The May exhibition will open with all five of these artists, and the June exhibition will include work by five additional artists, who will work around the existing conditions of the exhibition opening this spring.
It will be exciting to see how the gallery, its program, and how it works with other galleries, artists, and curators will manifest over the coming months, especially at this moment when galleries are considering the ways in which they can offer support to peers, even competitors. The optimism and rigor embedded into the fabric of this new venture provides a much-needed sense of hope and transparency in an industry often shrouded in mystery and competitiveness. We are eager to see what comes next.
K.R.M. Mooney, “En V,” 2022, engraving block, polyurethane, cast mistletoe, bronze, silver, solder, gold, 7 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches, courtesy of artist and Altman Siegel, San Francisco.
