Ben Brown is not one to mistrust his convictions. In 2007, he championed Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne in London after three decades without a show in the city, convinced that the market had yet to catch up. “I believed in them, so I bought half the show myself,” Brown told Artsy over coffee in his new New York office. Les Lalanne, as they are known collectively, were active from the 1960s onwards. Known for their Surrealist bronze sculptures—whimsical yet functional pieces depicting animal forms—the pair remained somewhat niche for decades.
Demand for the artists in recent years has skyrocketed, proving Brown’s conviction. Just this October, a Lalanne auction held by Christie’s New York totaled $59 million. This ethos is the bedrock of his international gallery: a genuine, personal belief in the artists he represents and works with.
“I own work by every artist I’ve represented,” said Brown. “I bought from almost every show because I believe it’s a bit like if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.”