Suspect Arrested in Brent Sikkema Investigation, Sotheby’s Leader Returns to Testify, Istanbul Biennial Curator Steps Down, and More: Morning Links for January 19, 2024

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The Headlines

INVESTIGATION NARROWS: A suspect was arrested by Brazilian police in connection to the death of the prominent New York dealer Brent Sikkema this week. Local TV Globo reported police detained a 30-year-old Cuban man named Alegandro Triana Trevez, who was in possession of $3,000 and a gold chain allegedly stolen from Sikkema. Trevez also appears to be seen on security footage entering Sikkema’s apartment on Sunday. Meanwhile, local media quoted unnamed sources who discussed a child-custody conflict between Sikkema and his Cuban husband. Sikkema, 75, was found dead Monday with 18 stab wounds in his Rio de Janeiro apartment. He founded Sikkema Jenkins & Co. in 1991. The gallery announced a memorial service will be held in his honor.

LOYAL TILL THE END: The courtroom saga continues between Accent Delight International, owned by Russian billionaire, Dmitry Ryboloviev, and Sotheby’s. Yesterday, the auction house’s head of private sales, Samuel Valette, was back on stand, questioned by the lawyer representing Sotheby’s, who attempted to undermine Ryboloviev’s accusation that the auction house aided the Swiss art dealer, Yves Bouvier, in overcharging him some $1 billion. ARTnews Senior Reporter Daniel Cassady said the testimony unfolded more like a conversation than an inquisition, aiming to show Valette’s principal, contracted client was Bouvier, not Rybolovlev. Pursuing Rybolovlev further, at that time, “would be like stabbing my client [Bouvier] in the back,” said Valette, though he hoped to business with Rybolovlev in future. Meanwhile, Bouvier, the elephant in the room, who is not a party to the current trial, released a statement insisting on his innocence. “Following the debates made in the New York courtroom, and the media coverage they have caused, is like a surreal charade in which people argue over a fraud that was proven to have never happened,” Bouvier said.

The Digest

Iwona Blazwick has stepped down as Istanbul Biennial curator, following an earlier dispute over transparency. The development comes following her controversial appointment by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), in opposition to the Biennial’s advisory board unanimously choosing Turkish curator Defne Ayas for the role, instead. The IKSV also said it will postpone the exhibition to 2025 due to related divisions within the art community. [The Art Newspaper]

The English National Opera (ENO) have voted to go on strike to protest job cuts. The rare move marks the first time Musician Union members will strike in 44 years.

South Africa is doubling down in its attempt to block the auction of Nelson Mandela’s personal belongings by his daughter. The government’s Heritage Resources Agency has appealed an earlier court decision approving the sale of dozens of items at Guernsey’s auction house, New York on Feb. 22. Proceeds from the sale are meant to finance a memorial garden for Mandela. [The New York Times]

French President Emmanuel Macron said he wants access to culture to be “free” during the summer Olympics in Paris, but the announcement likely concerns locals, and remains vague. He made the remarks while speaking in a low-income northern suburb of Paris, alongside his new culture minister, Rachida Dati. The day before, he also told reporters that drama classes should be required in middle school. Readers will note that his current wife, Brigitte Macron, was his high school drama teacher. [Huffington Post, Le Monde]

The Kicker

Steve Forbes, the heir of the Forbes media group, will sell his collection of Winston Churchill memorabilia consigned to dealer Peter Harrington, at New York’s Winter Show at Park Avenue Armory, January 19 – 28. Among the rare valuables, estimated to be collectively worth nearly $850,000, is a painting by Churchill titled, The Entrance to the Gorge at Todhra (1935 – 36). [Bloomberg]

Street artist Invader is preparing his largest exhibit to date in Paris, from February 17 to May 5, including his 1500th pixelated mosaic. By the looks of his Instagram account, legions of loyal online followers are already scrambling for tickets to the show organized by Beaux-Arts Magazine, held in the former daily Liberation’s headquarters. [Instagram]