Blog | Alex Cooper

Building an Inclusive Collection with Alex Cooper

Written by Kathleen Hamill | Director of Modern & Contemporary Art | Sep 3, 2019 12:00:00 AM

It is impossible to miss the long overdue movement among cultural institutions as they move away from ignoring artists of color and their enormous contributions to finally giving these artists the exposure and accolades they well deserve. Here in Baltimore, we are proud of the revised mission of the Baltimore Museum of Art to dedicate itself to the inclusion of artists of color as well as female artists and other underrepresented artists.  Alex Cooper was honored to have the privilege of auctioning the collection and life’s work of African American artist and curator, EJ Montgomery, earlier this year as well as to have successfully sold numerous pieces by Sam Gilliam which include a museum acquisition.

lot 1014

As Director or Modern and Contemporary Art at Alex Cooper, I intend to ensure that our auction offerings are inclusive and provide a platform for not only African American Artists, but other underrepresented artists and to promote the work of Baltimore artists.

lot 1018

The September Gallery Auction brings us three exciting offerings by notable African American artists, Sam Gilliam, Ruth Waddy and Ulysses Marshall.  Waddy’s “Soviet Old and New” is the final piece from the EJ Montgomery collection and is unique for its unusual subject matter (lot 1018). We are pleased to bring Sam Gilliam’s “Celebration” to auction after successfully selling another one in the series from Montgomery’s collection (lot 1014).  Lastly, Ulysses Marshall’s “Middle America” (lot 1048) makes another appearance to allow buyers a second opportunity to acquire the piece.

lot 1048

Look for more information in our “Female Artist Features” coming soon as well as the outstanding painting  by Grace Hartigan appearing in October.

Kathleen Hamill
Director, Modern & Contemporary Art
kathleen@alexcooper.com
410.828.4838 x 108