Santa Fe gallerist Daniel Cooney of Daniel Cooney Fine Art discusses his gallery's focus one year after relocating from New York City. In an interview, Cooney explains that while his gallery prominently features LGBTQ artists, its core mission is supporting underrepresented artists broadly—including emerging talents, overlooked older artists, and estates. He notes a continued emphasis on photography, his own background, but also shows other mediums. Cooney expresses interest in featuring more local New Mexico artists but has not yet integrated deeply into the local scene.
This article matters because it highlights the evolving strategy of a gallerist who deliberately champions marginalized voices in the art world, a trend reflecting broader industry shifts toward equity and inclusion. Cooney's move from a major art hub like New York to Santa Fe also underscores the growing decentralization of the art market and the importance of regional galleries in fostering diverse artistic communities.