New York gallery The Hole sued by artists for $50,000 in unpaid consignment sales

Artists Daniel Um and Nastaran Shahbazi have initiated a lawsuit against The Hole, a New York gallery, seeking around $50,000 from consignment sales conducted between 2024 and 2026. The legal action, lodged in Manhattan Supreme Court on July 16, specifies that Um is owed $28,975 and Shahbazi $21,000, noting that some payments have been made. The artists accuse the gallery of improperly using funds for expenses, which they claim breaches New York law. Their complaint cites unjust enrichment and breach of contract. Established in 2010 by Kathy Grayson, The Hole expanded to Tribeca in 2021 and West Hollywood in 2022 but encountered financial difficulties after the market downturn in 2023, resulting in the closure of its LA branch and disputes over unpaid rent.