Kent Fine Art is the expression and extension of a lifelong passion for fine art. Since its foundation in 1985, the gallery has championed both emerging and established artists. Our commitment to exceptional art has positioned us as one of the leading fine art galleries in New York City. Our gallery is dedicated to contemporary and historically significant art. Our aim is to promote the careers of great talents while providing collectors and enthusiasts with access to great works.
Lifelong Dedication to Fine Art
Kent Fine Art was established by curator and art historian Douglas Walla. With a MFA from California State University, he did post graduate work with Charles Gaines and Richard Artschwager. He launched his curatorial career at the regional Art Center in central California, where he was promoted to curator at a very young age. His exhibitions included the first traveling retrospective for Alex Katz, as well as Masterworks of Modern Sculpture in coordination with the SFMoMA, and 200 Years of American Painting.
After relocating to New York, he became the vice-president and eventually CEO of Marlborough Gallery. Here, he worked closely with Francis Bacon, R.B. Kitaj, Alex Katz, Larry Rivers, and Red Grooms. His portfolio also included the Estates of Jacques Lipchitz and Barbara Hepworth. These experiences shaped the gallery’s strong curatorial foundation. They are also the origin of our deep connections within the art world.
A Deep Commitment to Our Artists
Kent Fine Art originally opened at Madison & 57th Street. Later, it relocated to Soho and then Chelsea. These moves were motivated by a closer proximity to the city’s artist community, reflecting the gallery’s engagement. The new entity would publish over 80 scholarly books and organize over 250 exhibitions worldwide.
Over the years, we have represented and documented many underrecognized fine artists. These range from historically recognized figures alongside promising new voices including Medardo Rosso, Eugene Carriere, Francis Picabia, John Heartfield to Meret Oppenheim and Dorothea Tanning.
We are dedicated to supporting the legacies of outstanding artists of record while making their work accessible to the wider audience. This commitment includes exhibitions and a research archive. Our aim is to promote the financial viability, institutional recognition and public awareness of their work. Through this engagement we contribute to the dynamism that defines New York fine art galleries.
Our Curatorial Vision: Modern and Contemporary Fine Art
At Kent Fine Art, we showcase works from modern and contemporary movements, focusing on conceptual and experimental art. These works span the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, pushing the boundaries of their respective times and contexts. Thus bridging historical significance with contemporary relevance characterizes our status among fine art galleries in NYC. Our carefully curated selection of fine art for sale appeals to a wide range of tastes.
A Special Kind of New York Fine Art Gallery
Our hybrid New York fine art gallery serves as a colleague of like minded individuals in the art community. We continue to engage the artistic landscape through a variety of initiatives, online and in person. We create compelling exhibitions in diverse spaces including museums and offer a unique selection of artworks.
Whether you explore our collection online or view the work in person, we strive to create an engaging and accessible dialogue.
On our website, you can find information about our represented artists and artworks, and our exhibitions. Consider signing up to our mailing list to stay informed about our programme and ongoing activities of the artists.