Professor Farley to Speak at Katzen Arts Center About the Knoedler Art Gallery Fraud Case
The panel brings together experts in art law, documentary film, and provenance research to discuss Driven to Abstraction (2020) and the important questions that it raises about the value of authenticity, race and criminal justice, and cultural authority. In addition to participating in a guided conversation, the panelists—including an expert featured in the film—will also address audience questions, which may be submitted during the event or in advance. Moderated by Dr. Nika Elder (Art History, American University) and featuring panelists Christine Farley (Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property, American University Washington College of Law), Leena Jayaswal (Professor, School of Communication, American University), and Victoria Sears Goldman (Director, Art Risk Advisory Practice, K2 Intelligence).
About the documentary: Driven to Abstraction unravels a mutating tale of self-delusion, greed, and fraud— the $80 million forgery scandal that rocked the art world and brought down Knoedler, New York City’s oldest and most venerable gallery. Was the gallery’s esteemed director the victim of a con artist who showed up with an endless treasure trove of previously unseen abstract expressionist masterpieces? Or did she eventually suspect they were fakes, yet continue to sell them for millions of dollars for fifteen years? Whatever the truth, two women from very different worlds crossed paths in what would become the greatest hoax ever of Modern American Art.