John Phelan, a prominent figure on ARTnews's Top 200 Collectors list, has been fired from his position as Secretary of the Navy. His departure follows reported disagreements with senior Pentagon officials over a shipbuilding initiative, including a proposal for a "Trump-class" of battleships. Undersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting secretary.
Phelan's removal is significant for the art world because it highlights the intersection of high-level political appointments and major art collecting. His extensive contemporary art collection, co-owned with his wife Amy, includes works by artists like Andreas Gursky and Cindy Sherman, and the couple has held influential roles at institutions such as the Aspen Art Museum and the Tate museums. His political fundraising, which facilitated his appointment, was often hosted at his art-filled Aspen estate, demonstrating how elite art networks can overlap with political power and access.