Philipp Kaiser is leaving Marian Goodman Gallery after more than six years, with his last day on May 2. He will remain as a curatorial consultant as needed. The gallery cited the recent Los Angeles wildfires as a factor in his decision to return to independent curatorial practice. Kaiser joined in 2019, a surprising move given his museum background, and became president and partner in 2021 when founder Marian Goodman stepped back. During his tenure, the gallery opened new spaces in New York and Los Angeles, but also lost major artists Gerhard Richter, Nan Goldin, and William Kentridge to rival galleries.
Kaiser's departure marks a significant shift for Marian Goodman Gallery, which had relied on his institutional expertise and LA connections to expand its footprint. His exit comes amid a period of transition for the gallery, which recently moved its New York space to Tribeca and opened an LA branch. The loss of three blue-chip artists in recent years also signals competitive pressures in the gallery market. Kaiser's return to independent curating may reshape his influence in the art world, while the gallery must now navigate leadership changes and roster stability.