Metro Pictures Gallery in New York to Shut Down After 40 Years Due to Pandemic Impact

Metro Pictures, a long-standing gallery in New York's Chelsea district, will cease operations by year's end, attributing its closure to economic challenges from the pandemic. Founders Janelle Reiring and Helene Winer announced the decision via email, noting it follows a demanding year of pandemic-driven programming and an expected shift in the art world. The gallery, known for representing prominent artists like Cindy Sherman, Jim Shaw, and Robert Longo, as well as younger talents such as Nina Beier, Latifa Echakhch, and David Maljkovic, has operated for four decades. Its name pays homage to the Pictures Generation, a 1970s movement that included Sherman and Longo, along with Louise Lawler, focusing on media saturation in society. Recent collaborations have involved artists like Trevor Paglen, Camille Henrot, and Oliver Laric, continuing this thematic interest. Currently, the gallery is hosting an exhibition of eight new paintings and five videos by Jim Shaw. Reiring and Winer stated they announced the closure early to allow artists and staff time to pursue other options and facilitate transitions. The gallery's legacy is tied to its role in shaping contemporary art through its roster and conceptual focus.