The Quintessential Collector

Quotes and Highlights of Barry Friedman The Eclectic Eye Sale

The Barry Friedman’s auctions at Christie’s late last month coincided with the retirement of the celebrated dealer, and the closure of his namesake gallery in November 2013. Barry Friedman is known for making markets for countless artists and art forms as a result of his insatiable curiosity and his keen eye for distinct brilliance. The auctions represented the diversity of mediums and periods that Friedman has presented to the marketplace over the course of his career, including Decorative Arts and Design from the 20th and 21st centuries, Contemporary Art, Photography and Ceramics as well as Italian and Contemporary Glass. The sales included a combined total of about 400 lots.
“It’s very gratifying to have someone believe so strongly in my work. He has given me three one-man exhibitions and taken my pieces to many important fairs. I truly feel that my career is in the best place it has ever been. Not only has Barry exhibited my work, but he also lives with it in his home.”
Wendell Castle, Designer

Ron Arad (B 1952), ‘Oh Void 1’ A Chair, 2004

“Before my first exhibition at Barry Friedman Ltd. in 1997—Beyond Vessels—Barry had taken the time and effort to visit my studio…twice—first, with his wife, and then with his gallery director and another member of his staff. In the previous 17 years of my career, no gallery had come to my studio, even when invited…He will be, quite simply, impossible to replace.”

Michael Glancy, Glass Artist

“Barry led me through a path of fascinating creation of glass art by encouraging me and pointing me towards new directions. With his unique kindness, charisma and humanity, he guided me through fantastic new adventures full of exciting creativity.”

Yoichi Ohira, Glass Artist

Above: Nendo, A ‘Cabbage’ Chair, 2008

“I first met Barry Friedman in 1980 in his Madison Avenue gallery. He was a dealer who did what dealers are meant to do—show you an aspect of the art world with which you weren’t already familiar and bring it to true value…That is what Barry is great at—showing us things that expand our visual aesthetic.”

Peter Marino, Architect

Wendell Castle (B 1932), ‘Chinook’ A bench, 2009

Ron Arad lounge chair

Florence Henri (1893-1982)

Portrait of Sonia Delaunay, Paris, 1931

Left: Gilbert Poillerat (1902-1988)

A pair of gates, Circa 1940

“Of all of the lessons I have learned from Barry, the one that stands out in my mind comes from one of our first meetings over 20 years ago at his gallery on Madison Avenue. He could tell I was deeply conflicted as to whether or not to purchase a Viennese chair. ‘Collect what you love,’ he told me. Looking back, I realize that what has made him such an extraordinary dealer is that he really was never a dealer at all, but a collector at heart.”

Reed Krakoff, Fashion Designer