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David ZwirnerAmerican gallerist and art dealer
Date of Birth: 23.10.1964
Country:  USA |
Content:
- David Zwirner: An American Art Dealer and Gallery Owner
- Early Life and Education
- Transition to the Art World
- Success and Expansion
- Continued Success and Philanthropy
David Zwirner: An American Art Dealer and Gallery Owner
David Zwirner is an American art dealer and owner of the renowned art galleries 'David Zwirner Gallery' in New York City and London. His London gallery opened in October 2012 with an exhibition by Belgian artist Luc Tuymans. Zwirner was ranked 4th in the annual '100 Most Powerful People in the Art World' list by ArtReview in 2010, and in 2012, Forbes magazine named him the second 'Most Influential Art Dealer in America.'
Early Life and Education
David Zwirner was born on October 23, 1964, in Cologne, Germany, into a family of art dealers. After completing school, he moved from Germany to the United States and became a student at New York University. While studying, Zwirner pursued his passion for music and performed as a jazz drummer. Returning to Germany, he worked for the Hamburg branch of the label 'PolyGram.'
Transition to the Art World
Growing up surrounded by art, Zwirner soon shifted his focus from working with musicians to working with artists. He began collecting artworks, acquiring pieces from renowned artists such as Bernd & Hilla Becher, Hanne Darboven, and Dan Graham. In the United States, David started collaborating with art dealer Brooke Alexander. In 1993, he opened his own gallery in the SoHo district of New York City, aiming to showcase contemporary works by American and international artists.
Success and Expansion
In its inaugural year, Zwirner's gallery successfully sold an exhibition by installation artist Jason Rhoades, gaining attention in the art world. The following year, the gallery hosted the debut American exhibition of Belgian painter Luc Tuymans. Over the years, Zwirner showcased works by artists such as Raoul De Keyser, Stan Douglas, Marcel Dzama, Toba Khedoori, Gordon Matta-Clark, John McCracken, and many others.
In 2002, Zwirner relocated the gallery from SoHo to the Chelsea neighborhood, and in 2006, he significantly expanded its space, enabling multiple exhibitions to be held simultaneously. From 2000 to 2009, Zwirner partnered with the 'Zwirner & Wirth' gallery on the Upper East Side, specializing in private sales and organizing a series of successful exhibitions.
Continued Success and Philanthropy
In March 2012, news emerged about the opening of a European branch of Zwirner's gallery, and in October, the 'David Zwirner Gallery' was inaugurated in the Mayfair district of London. In early 2013, the gallery expanded with additional spaces in Chelsea, New York. In addition to its primary activities, the gallery maintains close relationships with various art publishers, including Steidl, Rizzoli, Radius Books, and Aperture, actively participating in the production of exhibition catalogs, monographs, books about artists, and books written by artists.
David Zwirner is married to Monica Zwirner, a designer and co-founder of the company 'MZ Wallace,' which operates in New York and Tokyo, producing bags and accessories. The couple has three children, and they all reside in New York City. It is worth noting that David Zwirner actively engages in philanthropic activities. In 2011, he and artist-director Ben Stiller organized the 'Artists For Haiti' campaign, raising over 13 million dollars for children's healthcare and education programs.
