Dior’s Kim Jones turns curator for Sotheby’s New York

Before he launched his revolutionary couture house, Christian Dior opened an art gallery on Rue La Boétie in Paris, with his friend Jacques Bonjean, which exhibited works by artists including André Breton, Max Ernst and Pablo Picasso.

In his role as artistic director of Dior’s menswear, Kim Jones has upheld the art-obsession of M. Dior, collaborating with a host of artists on show set installations and clothing collaborations, from Daniel Arsham to Hajime Sorayama. He is also an avid collector himself, hunting for furniture pieces by the Omega Workshop and amassing clothing designed by Vivienne Westwood, Leigh Bowery and Christopher Nemeth.

Now, Jones has turned his curatorial eye to Sotheby’s New York ‘Contemporary Curated’ sale, selected his favourite pieces from its 250 lots, which are on view at a public exhibition from 28 February. The sale features an astonishing selection of works from the last 70 years, with artworks from the private collections of Robert A Bernhard and the Levy Family collection. Works by Donald Judd, Doug Aitken, Richard Prince, Ed Ruscha and John Baldessari all Jones’ edit, alongside pieces by Kaws and Raymond Pettibon, who the designer has collaborated with at Dior. Jones’ debut S/S 2019 collection for the house was staged around a giant Kaws-designed effigy of the maison’s founder, formed from 70,000 peonies and roses. 

‘It has been especially exciting to see the ways in which Kim has helped shape the conversation between fashion and art through his collaborations with some of the most important and high-profile artists working today, particularly for a younger generation who may be more familiar with the work of an artist like Kaws than say Andy Warhol,’ says Charlotte Van Dercook, head of Sotheby’s Contemporary Curated auctions in New York. ‘Kim’s picks from our sale not only highlight pieces by some of the artists he has worked with, but they also spotlight striking examples of figurative art, abstract painting, sculpture and more from 20th century and contemporary masters.’ Paddles at the ready! 

INFORMATION

Sotheby’s New York ‘Contemporary Curated’ exhibition is on view from 28 February. Auction takes place 6 March 2020
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