Art
Orlando Museum of Art files lawsuit over fake Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings
A Florida art museum has filed a lawsuit more than a year after it mounted an exhibition of paintings by the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat that federal investigators determined to be fake.
The Orlando Museum of Art said it is suing the people behind the exhibition “Heroes & Monsters,” which purportedly featured never-before-seen works by Basquiat. The FBI seized more than two dozen paintings in the show in June 2022 amid a conspiracy and wire fraud investigation in connection with the artwork.
In this Feb. 2, 2022, file photo, the sign for the exhibit “Heroes & Monsters: Jean-Michel Basquiat” is shown at the Orlando Museum of Art, in Orlando, Fla.
Melanie Metz/The New York Times/Redux, FILE
“OMA spent hundreds of thousands of dollars — and unwittingly staked its reputation — on exhibiting the now-admittedly fake paintings,” the complaint states. “Consequently, cleaning up the aftermath created by the Defendants has cost OMA even more. OMA was placed on probation by the American Alliance of Museums and its 99-year legacy was shattered. OMA is entitled to legal redress for these harms.”
In a statement, the museum said it “seeks to hold responsible the people the Museum believes knowingly misrepresented the works’ authenticity and provenance.” The lawsuit, filed Monday in the Circuit Court of Orange County, Florida, includes fraud, conspiracy and breach of contract among its counts and is seeking damages in an amount to be proven at trial.
The museum’s former director and CEO, Aaron De Groft, who was ousted amid the scandal, is named among the defendants. The lawsuit alleges that De Groft attempted to profit off the eventual sale of the fake artwork.
“De Groft further capitalized on OMA’s reputation and financial resources to gain personal fame and notoriety from his role in these business transactions as a ‘discoverer’ of found art,” the lawsuit stated.
In this Feb. 2, 2022, file photo, Aaron De Groft, director of the Orlando Museum of Art, looks at one of the works from the Mumford storage locker said to be by Jean-Michel Basquiat, “Untitled (Industry Insider),” at the museum in Orlando, Fla.
Melanie Metz/The New York Times via Redux, FILE
In response to the lawsuit, De Groft denied having any financial arrangement with the owners of the Basquiats in comments to the New York Times.
The pieces were purportedly created in 1982 and found in a storage locker owned by the late TV producer Thaddeus Mumford Jr. whose contents were sold at auction in 2012.
In an interview with the FBI in 2014, four years before his death, Mumford denied ever having any Basquiat artwork and was unaware of the artist’s work being stored in his storage locker, according to an FBI affidavit.
Earlier this year, a one-time auctioneer charged in connection with the federal investigation confessed to creating the fake Basquiats in 2012 after concocting a plan with an accomplice to market the works, prosecutors said. The defendant, Michael Barzman, admitted to making most of the works featured in the Orlando Museum of Art’s Basquiat exhibition, prosecutors said while announcing a plea agreement in the case.
The Orlando Museum of Art’s lawsuit alleges De Groft disregarded “all obvious signs” that the paintings were fake, including the “existence of an FBI investigation” and the presence in one work of a FedEx typeface that wasn’t created until 1994 — 12 years after the paintings were said to be created by Basquiat.
The complaint also lists the owners of the artworks among the defendants. In statements to the New York Times, two of the owners, Pierce O’Donnell and Leo Mangan, insisted the works were authentic. O’Donnell called the lawsuit “false and defamatory.”
ABC News has reached out to the defendants for comment. Online records do not list any attorney information for them.
The “Heroes & Monsters” exhibition fell under public scrutiny after a New York Times report published upon its opening in February 2022 raised questions about the authenticity of the pieces.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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