Artist Jeffrey Gibson has filed a lawsuit against Chicago's Kavi Gupta Gallery, where he was previously represented, claiming that the gallery owes him over $600,000. Gibson, known for blending Western modernism with Native American craft in his artwork, is set to represent the US at the 2024 Venice Biennale, making him the first Indigenous artist to do so solo.
Gibson alleges that the gallery withheld his share of sales proceeds for artworks sold, stating that the gallery fell behind on payments. The artist initially agreed to a deal where he would retain 50% of sales made by the gallery, but the lawsuit contends that the gallery failed to remit his full share in a timely manner. The lawsuit aims to recover the owed funds and additional compensation as permitted by law.
Kavi Gupta, on the other hand, denies the allegations, asserting that they invested significantly in producing Gibson's artworks and helping him financially during the pandemic. Gupta claims the gallery paid vendor costs and production expenses for Gibson's exhibitions, including the recent Aspen Art Museum show.
Gibson's lawsuit was filed before several museum exhibitions featuring his work across the US. Despite the legal dispute, Gibson continues to be active in the art world, with upcoming exhibitions and the release of a book on contemporary Indigenous art. This legal action follows the departures of other artists from Kavi Gupta's representation, though reasons for their exits remain unspecified.
Selena Mattei