A Life in the Art World
Lawrence B. Salander, born in 1949 in New York City, United States, was a figure deeply embedded in the complexities of the art market. Operating as a painter, visual artist, and gallerist, he was the driving force behind the Salander-O'Reilly Galleries, which was recognized by the Robb Report in 2003 as the premier gallery in the world. However, his career was marked by significant legal and financial upheaval. Following a series of lawsuits from business partners and customers, Salander filed for personal bankruptcy in November 2007. This period of transition saw him working at the Phoenix Art LLC Gallery in Millbrook, New York, which showcased various artists including Ralph Della-Volpe, Annemiek do Gersten, and Corso de Palenzuela.
Legal Challenges and Literary Works
The trajectory of Salander's life took a dramatic turn in 2009 when he faced numerous criminal charges. In March 2010, he pleaded guilty to 29 felony counts of grand larceny, admitting to the unauthorized sale of numerous artworks. He was sentenced to a prison term of six to eighteen years and served time at the Midstate Correctional Facility. While in custody, Salander turned to writing, producing a collection of one hundred poems titled From Inside The Beast. He also authored the book Art as I See It, which was published by Austin Macauley in 2019. As of February 2024, he is no longer listed in the New York prison system's records as incarcerated.
