On a recent podcast, artist Damien Hirst identified his manager, Joe Hage, as the most influential person he's met, praising his work with other major artists. Hirst also downplayed the role of major galleries like Gagosian and White Cube, comparing them to 'estate agents,' and revealed a new private commission: an amethyst-encrusted grotto for the Getty family.
Hirst's comments matter because they highlight a power shift in the art world, where influential private managers operating behind the scenes can rival the clout of major public galleries. His critique of galleries as mere intermediaries and the revelation of a high-profile private project underscore the growing importance of discreet, ultra-wealthy patronage and direct artist-client relationships over traditional gallery systems.