A growing number of "super advisory" firms are being founded by former top-level auction house executives, offering leaner, more discreet art advisory services without the high overheads of major auction houses and galleries. Notable examples include Art Intelligence Global (AIG), launched by Amy Cappellazzo and Yuki Terase after leaving Sotheby's, and Patti Wong & Associates, founded by former Sotheby's Asia chair Patti Wong. These firms leverage decades of experience and personal client relationships to compete in a cautious market where major auction houses have cut staff and digitized operations.
This trend matters because it signals a structural shift in the art market: as auction houses reduce costs and senior specialists depart, high-net-worth clients increasingly turn to independent advisors for personalized guidance. Advisors now account for an estimated 70% of the value in contemporary and Modern sales at major auction houses, giving them significant influence over market dynamics. The rise of these "super advisories" also reflects the growing demand for discretion and efficiency in a downturn, potentially reshaping how art is bought and sold at the highest levels.