Drax Fine Art, LLC has filed a lawsuit against David Kordansky Gallery, the Sam Gilliam Foundation, and the late artist's widow Annie Gawlak, alleging they conspired to disavow and defame an authentic Sam Gilliam drape painting from 1972. Drax claims the work was acquired from Carl Solway Gallery in Cincinnati, installed in an architectural firm's lobby, and later purchased by Drax. The plaintiff seeks $6 million in damages, accusing the defendants of blocking an auction sale by claiming restoration efforts constituted irreparable damage. The defendants call the claims "absolutely frivolous," asserting the unsigned, undated piece does not conform to Gilliam's practice and may be a studio remnant.
This case highlights ongoing tensions in the art market over authentication and market manipulation, particularly for high-value works by deceased artists. Gilliam's drape paintings are both critically acclaimed and commercially valuable, with a 2019 sale of a similar work for nearly $2 million. The lawsuit could set a precedent for how foundations and galleries handle disputed works, especially when forensic evidence and provenance records conflict with institutional authentication standards. It also raises questions about the power of artist foundations to influence market value and the legal recourse available to collectors who feel their property has been unfairly disparaged.