Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man: New York in the Sixties

by Michael Findlay

This memoir from the influential art dealer and author offers an up close and personal perspective on New York’s vibrant art scene of the sixties and seventies.

One of today’s most respected art dealers, Michael Findlay launched his career surrounded by the most exciting figures of the late twentieth century art scene. His generously illustrated memoir traces his childhood in Scotland to his arrival in New York, where he directed one of the first art galleries in SoHo, exposing American audiences to the likes of Joseph Beuys and Sean Scully. Findlay launched the first solo exhibitions of John Baldessari, Hannah Wilke, Stephen Mueller and Billy Sullivan. He offers fascinating recollections about his relationships with painters and sculptors, art dealers and art collectors, actors, models and the creative talents at the heart of New York’s Downtown scene.
Making appearances in Findlay’s stellar cast of characters are Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Ray Johnson, Gerald Laing, Joseph Cornell, Alan Ginsberg, model Naomi Sims, and the poet Gerard Malanga. He vividly depicts comings and goings at The Chelsea Hotel, St. Mark’s Place, Studio 54 and Max’s Kansas City. He describes in candid detail the pros and cons of the wild parties and the freewheeling lifestyle of that swinging era. Anyone interested in twentieth century cultural history, the post- World War II art market, or sixties and seventies New York will be gripped and entertained by Findlay’s evocatively recounted journey.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The book is about the author's life, starting from how he got interested in art in his early years, ended up working for an art gallery, and then became an art dealer himself. If you are familiar with the New York art scene of the 60s and 70s, you will get more out of this book than if you don't. I've only recently started to learn more than just the two or three names from that era, and it was interesting to come across others I recognized and also learn about even more artists that I could look up to see more about the work. While it focuses on the art world, it also talks a little about the New York of the times, and of the place that it used to be.

There are some fun incidents recounted in the book about the author's life too that I found fascinating to read that left me wanting to know more. I wanted to like it more, but it felt like an overabundance of people mentioned and didn't slow down enough to focus on a few moments. Michael Findlay has certainly lived a very eventful life and I certainly know a little more about what art dealers do after reading his memoir.

If you love New York or the artists of the time, this makes for a great insider's look at what was going on at the time in artist circles. If you're unfamiliar though, you will have to look up things alongside reading the book.

Thank you Smith Publicity | Prestel and Michael Findlay for providing a free eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kateryna Sternberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It was not my thing I haven’t realised how focused the book will be on the set period and expected more of behind the scenes art world that what we have gotten. I do believe if one is familiar and lives 60s and 70s then they will enjoy the book greatly but for me it was more on a boring side. I don’t think I quite fit with the target audience so the blame is mostly on me. But I should say that the writing style was pleasant.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born in Scotland in 1945 and still involved in the art world, Michael Findlay has many stories to tell. In this book he chronicles the New York art scene in the 1960s, where his ascent was rapid and where he directed one of the first galleries in SoHo and then later ran his own gallery. His successful career continues. When he first arrived in New York he started working for dealer Richard Feigen and through him met just about everyone one involved in the art world, from household names to more obscure artists, whom I enjoyed discovering. There are many illustrations to accompany the text. The heady days of the 1960s in New York are brought vividly to life, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his exciting and eventful life. This isn’t a particularly revealing memoir, and I never felt that I was really getting to know the man behind the career, but nevertheless I found it a compelling and endlessly fascinating read, even when some sections amounted to little more than name dropping. But what names they are – and I would love to learn more about Findlay’s career and adventures in other decades. A great read.

[GB · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. If you were living in NYC in the 1960's, and/or have an interest in modern art, I think you will enjoy this book. I was born in NYC and grew up in the suburbs, but I was just a tyke in the '60s. The book is written as short anecdotes in chronological order, with lots of great photos. Findlay must have kept very detailed diaries as there are so many names and specific events mentioned in this book! I wish there had been fewer stories, with less lists of names of "attendees," and more detailed accounts of individual events. Toward the end I started skimming. I knew the big names Findlay mentioned, but there were many others listed with each vignette. I guess it was important to list all the names of everyone at specific events, but I would have preferred less of that, and more descriptions of the events themselves. I did enjoy the gossip, inside stories, and his sharing of this own journey building a great career representing modern artists in NYC at a time when SOHO was just transitioning to what it is today.

[Diane C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Findlay wrote this book in a personal journal style, so it's a bit like another one I read by the art maven Rosamond Bernier. I.E., a bit scattered, name dropping and gossipy, even while being an experienced and informed story of artists and being in the art business. It must be confessed that I love anything written about art and music in the 20th century, especially to 60's and 70's. If you do too, you must read this. If not so much, you'll likely still enjoy it.

[Trissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with his other books, I enjoy his wry sense of humor and keen observations. Like other reviewers said, it’s about what’s missing - more of the author’s story. Why does it have to end in the 60’s? I guess I should have paid better attention to the title, ha.

[Lucía · Rating 5 out of 5]

Findlay consigue que este repaso de la vida artística de Nueva York en los sesenta sea tan ameno que parece una novela. Con su humor británico, sus memorias son también memoria de las galerías, los artistas y el incipiente SoHo en aquella década tan convulsa.