Dia Benefit and LGD Private Auction Signal Art World Shifts
The 2026 Dia Art Foundation Spring Benefit in Beacon, New York, drew around 600 attendees, including Jenny Yeh of Taipei's Winsing Art Foundation and Isha Ambani, daughter of India's richest billionaire. The event honored living artists Lee Ufan, Tehching Hsieh, and Kishio Suga, alongside deceased visionaries Jack Whitten and Agnes Martin. Notably, Tim Blum attended nearly 12 months after closing his gallery, reportedly to support his former artist Kishio Suga. On the same day, Lévy Gorvy Dayan (LGD) held a private auction, "LGD Hammer," selling a single Willem de Kooning for USD 10 million, the low estimate. The move follows Brett Gorvy's departure from Christie's in 2016. Observers are watching former Christie's and LGD chair Rebecca Wei and ex-Sotheby's chair Patti Wong for their next moves.
Key facts
- Dia Art Foundation Spring Benefit 2026 held in Beacon, New York.
- 600 attendees from Manhattan and beyond.
- Honored artists: Lee Ufan, Tehching Hsieh, Kishio Suga, Jack Whitten, Agnes Martin.
- Jenny Yeh (Winsing Art Foundation, Taipei) and Isha Ambani attended.
- Tim Blum attended 12 months after closing his gallery.
- Lévy Gorvy Dayan held private auction 'LGD Hammer' on same day.
- Willem de Kooning sold for USD 10 million (low estimate).
- Brett Gorvy left Christie's in 2016 after 23 years.
- Rebecca Wei (ex-Christie's, ex-LGD Hong Kong) and Patti Wong (ex-Sotheby's) are being watched.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Dia Art Foundation
- Winsing Art Foundation
- Lévy Gorvy Dayan
- Christie's
- Sotheby's
Locations
- Beacon
- New York
- United States
- Manhattan
- Taipei
- Taiwan
- Hong Kong
- China