Episode 34: A Conversation with Rick Wester

In my continuing series of conversations with people who have shaped the Photographs market, I move back to focusing on the auction world.  I sat down with Rick Wester, who, in addition to being a private dealer, consultant, and gallery owner, he has headed up the Photographs departments of 2 of 3 major auction houses, and has put together some of the most memorable sales of the last 40 years.  We discussed what it was like to be working in the wild west of the auction world during the 1990s and 2000s, and what lessons he learned during the ride.

Discussed:

0:00-30:00

Rochester Institute of Technology, John Pfahl, Janet Borden, The George Eastman House, Robert Friedus, Barbara Morgan, Larry Clark, Ellen Carey, Marcia Resnick, Daniel Wolf, Bonni Benrubi, Howard Read, LIGHT Gallery, Emmit Gowin, Frank Kolodny, Christie’s, Swann Galleries, Phillips, Sotheby’s, Claudia Gropper, Kathleen Guzman, Beth Gates Warren, Denise Bethel, Jack Banning, Robert Frank, Harry Lunn, Robert Freidus, Merrill Berman, George Rinhardt, Monika Half

30:00-60:00

Christopher Burge, Michael Findlay, John Hayes, Christopher Hartop, Barbara Strongin, Jan Nolte, Max Bernheimer, Peter Galassi, Dede Brooks, Gagosian Gallery, Robert Shapazian, Michael Findlay, Christopher Burge, Cindy Sherman, Simon de Pury, Daniella Luxembourg, Lisa Newlin Galeano, Jeffrey Fraenkel, Frish Brandt, Simon de Pury, Denise Bethel