Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man

One of today’s most respected art dealers, Michael Findlay launched his career surrounded by the most exciting figures of the late twentieth century art scene. His generously illustrated memoir traces his childhood in Scotland to his arrival in New York, where he directed one of the first art galleries in SoHo, exposing American audiences to the likes of Joseph Beuys and Sean Scully. Findlay launched the first solo exhibitions of John Baldessari, Hannah Wilke, Stephen Mueller and Billy Sullivan. He offers fascinating recollections about his relationships with painters and sculptors, art dealers and art collectors, actors, models and the creative talents at the heart of New York’s Downtown scene.

Making appearances in Findlay’s stellar cast of characters are Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Ray Johnson, Gerald Laing, Joseph Cornell, Allen Ginsberg, Gerard Malanga, and model Naomi Sims. He vividly depicts the comings and goings at The Chelsea Hotel, St. Mark’s Place, Studio 54, and Max’s Kansas City. He describes in candid detail the pros and cons of the wild parties and the freewheeling lifestyle of that swinging era. Anyone interested in twentieth century cultural history, the post–World War II art market, or sixties and seventies New York will be gripped and entertained by Findlay’s evocatively recounted journey.