Michael Werner Gallery is expanding rather than contracting, opening a second New York space on the Upper East Side at 1018 Madison Avenue, just around the corner from its original location at 4 East 77th Street. The new venue was secured after the building housing the original gallery went up for sale, prompting partner Gordon VeneKlasen to search for alternatives. The inaugural exhibition features Sanya Kantarovsky, who is also joining the gallery's roster, with a two-part show titled "Scarecrow" opening May 7. The expansion was designed by architect Annabelle Selldorf, who previously worked with the gallery in 1989.
This expansion matters because it defies the broader art market contraction, where gallery closures have become more common than openings. The decision to stay on the Upper East Side rather than follow peers to Tribeca or Chelsea underscores the gallery's commitment to its identity and history, including its original space's legacy as Leo Castelli's first New York gallery. The move also highlights the enduring appeal of the Upper East Side as a gallery destination and the strategic value of maintaining proximity to established neighbors like Gray and Alexander Berggruen.