Art in Brief

In this episode, we speak with art market expert Doug Woodham to unpack how Jean-Michel Basquiat became one of the most enduring cultural icons of our time. Moving beyond his rise in 1980s New York, this episode focuses on what happened after his death. We explore how his estate, led by his father, shaped his legacy through control of supply, copyright, and narrative; how early collectors and market forces drove the value of his work; and how museums and media cemented his place in art history. Together, we explore the bigger question: is creating great art enough, or does becoming an icon require an entire ecosystem working behind the scenes?Read Doug's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Jean-%C2%ADMichel-Basquiat-Making-Doug-Woodham/dp/0500030693Also, please join us on May 27  for the highly anticipated Art Law Conference 2026, held at Brooklyn Law School and Online (Hybrid). Entitled “What is Copy, Right? Visual Art, AI, and the Law in the 21st Century,” this year’s conference explores the evolving relationship between visual art, copyright law, and artificial intelligence:https://itsartlaw.org/2026-art-law-conference-new-york-city/Support the show

In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with Elysia Borowy, Executive Director of the Rema Hort Mann Foundation, Christy Ceriale, founder of the foundation’s Young Collectors Initiative, and Antonio Vidal, one of the recipients of the 2026 Emerging Artist Grant.Through these three perspectives, we explored the inner workings of one of New York’s most prominent art foundations, hearing firsthand about the realities of running a philanthropic arts organization, building a career as a working artist, and navigating the world of collecting as a young person in the city.Founded in 1995, the Rema Hort Mann Foundation supports both emerging visual artists and individuals battling cancer, providing grants and resources at pivotal moments in their lives and careers. Learn more about the foundation and its programs here:https://www.remahortmannfoundation.org/Check out Antonio's work here: https://www.instagram.com/antonio.vidal.l/ Support the show

In our first episode of the year, Paris and Andrea speak with Ali Nour, who recounts his journey from Khartoum to Cairo amid the ongoing civil war, and describes how he became involved with the Emergency Response Committee - a group of Sudanese heritage officials working to safeguard Sudan’s cultural heritage.Upcoming Events: Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Copyright Law:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-lawyering-bootcamp-copyright-law-tickets-1977628671593?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurlArtist Legacy & Estate Planning Clinic:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-legacy-estate-planning-clinic-tickets-1369639341139?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurlSupport the show

What happens when culture becomes collateral damage in war?In this episode of Art in Brief, we speak with Patty Gerstenblith, a leading expert on cultural heritage law, about the destruction of cultural sites in recent armed conflicts. We examine the role of international courts, the limits of accountability, and whether the law can truly protect history in times of war.Support the show

In this episode, Paris and Andrea sit down with Carina Popovici, a physicist turned art tech entrepreneur and the founder of Art Recognition. Together, we explore how her team trains AI to read an artist’s hand, detect forgeries, and bring more transparency to the art market. We also dive into the ethical stakes, from questions of bias to concerns about authority and accountability, as technology begins to influence how we understand our cultural past.Check out the Framework for Responsible Use of AI in Art Authentication, developed by Art Recognition and the Center for Art Law, a nonprofit organization based in the United States.https://art-recognition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Framework-for-Responsible-Use-of-AI-in-Art-Authentication-final.pdfSupport the show

Paris and Andrea are joined by Roksolana Makar and Anastasiia Olexii to discuss how Ukrainians are fighting back against Russia’s assault on their cultural heritage From documenting destroyed sites to preserving artifacts and seeking justice for cultural war crimes, they show how protecting heritage is central to defending the nation's identity.For more information on HeMo, the Ukrainian Heritage Monitoring Lab, the Raphael Lemkin Society and Wall Evidence, check out the resources below! People of Culture Taken Away By The War: https://pen.org.ua/en/lyudy-kultury-yakykh-zabrala-vijna HeMo:https://www.heritage.in.ua/War Archive: https://ukrainewararchive.org/eng/ Wall Evidence: https://wallevidence.mizhvukhamy.com/ https://instagram.com/wallevidence Raphael Lemkin Society:https://www.facebook.com/lemkin.societyhttps://lemkin.org.ua/index_en.htmlhttps://www.instagram.com/lemkin_society?igsh=ZHp6eGx5ZG1kYzVxSupport the show

 In this episode, Paris and Andrea are joined by Simon Frankel and Stephen Urice, co-authors of the newly released 6th edition of Law, Ethics, and the Visual Arts, the leading textbook shaping the field of art law.Together, they explore the complex relationship between artistic freedom and government authority and unpack how the First Amendment applies to visual art.From the cancellation of Amy Sherald’s exhibition at the Smithsonian to landmark legal battles over obscenity and censorship, we ask:What counts as protected expression?When, and why, can the government intervene?And who ultimately controls the art that reaches the public?To learn more about the book, check out the links below: https://cambridgeblog.org/2025/04/law-ethics-and-the-visual-arts/www.leva6.orgSupport the show

In this episode, Paris and Andrea sit down with former FBI Art Crime Team agents Ronnie Walker and Dave Bass.They share incredible stories from their time undercover, including recovering a multi-million dollar stolen pair of ruby slippers and bringing one of America’s most infamous art forgers to justice.Now out of the Bureau, Ronnie and Dave reveal how their experiences led them to co-found The Art Legacy Institute, and what’s next in their mission to protect artists and their work.A big thanks to Eva Bella for guiding the research for this episode.Connect with Ronnie and Dave Here: https://bsky.app/profile/artcrimeguy.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/artcrimeguyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnie-walker-b64953176/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bass-97a11b297/For More Information: Art Legacy Institute: https://www.artlegacyinstitute.org/ https://www.instagram.com/artlegacyinstitute_org/https://bsky.app/profile/artlegacyinstitute.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/artlegacy_orgAlitheon: https://alitheon.com/ AWS: https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/?ams%23interactive-card-vertical%23pattern-data--2066256937.filter=%257B%2522filters%2522%253A%255B%255D%257D Ruby Slippers Case: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/04/30/feature/the-case-of-dorothys-stolen-ruby-slippers/Earl Washington Case: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/arts/earl-washington-woodblocks-art-fraud.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZE8.RkOq.-8-4beaBhG5o&smid=url-shareSupport the show

In this episode, Paris and Andrea dive deep into a discussion on Artist Resale Rights. They talk about how these rights function differently across different countries, and why this issue remains such a hotly debated topic in the art world.for more information check out this Center for Art Law article: https://itsartlaw.org/2019/07/01/its-not-that-easy-artist-resale-royalty-rights-and-the-art-act/ Support the show

Paris and Andrea sit down with Raymond Dowd, one of the foremost voices in art law and cultural and intellectual property.Together, they speak with Raymond about his experiences working on cases involving Nazi-era looted art, with a particular focus on the case Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation.They also explore the complexities of navigating conflicting international legal systems, as well as the postwar incentives that fueled the acquisition of stolen art.Support the show

In this episode, Atreya Mathur sits down with the podcast to explain all things AI and copyright, specifically highlighting the case Thaler v Perlmutter.  Soon after our podcast with Atreya Mathur was recorded, the U.S. Copyright Office released a pre-publication of Part 3 of its Copyright and AI Report, focusing on the use of copyrighted works to train AI. Shortly after its release, Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights, was removed from office by the current administration. We hope to reconnect with Atreya soon to discuss the report, AI training, and fair use in light of these developments.Support the show

Frida Kahlo’s face is everywhere—on tequila bottles, dolls, clothing, prepaid Mastercards, and beyond. But who actually owns the rights to her image? In this episode, we unravel the complexities of trademarking an artist’s likeness and how it has shaped, and sometimes distorted, Kahlo’s legacy. Can someone truly claim ownership over a person’s image after their death? And if so, under what terms? Tune in to explore the legal and ethical questions behind the commercialization of Frida Kahlo. Read more about Frida Kahlo's cases on the Center for Art Law's website: https://itsartlaw.org/2024/06/20/owning-frida-kahlo-the-frida-kahlo-corporation-and-trademark-law/ https://itsartlaw.org/2019/08/02/rolling-over-in-her-grave-frida-kahlos-trademarks-and-commodified-legacy/Register for the Center for Art Law's new Summer School:https://itsartlaw.org/center-for-art-law-summer-school-2025/ Link to the FKC's Website: https://www.fridakahlocorporation.com/*note: we incorrectly named Mara Romeo, Mara KahloSupport the show

This week in ART IN BRIEF, Paris and Andrea explore fascinating case studies and complex questions that arise when art meets the environment.What happens when art and artists engage with the natural world? How have they been challenged by regulations and legal limitations over the years?  Our new episode traces the hisotry of land art and legal battles that have shaped its evolution.Don’t miss this deep dive into the legal and ethical complexities of art and the environment!https://www.eventbrite.com/e/over-the-river-when-art-and-law-make-landfall-tickets-1138440438999?aff=ebdsoporgprofileSupport the show

What happens when the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Italian state find themselves in a decades long legal battle over a 2000 year old statue? Find out  in this weeks episode! For more information on the case: https://itsartlaw.org/2024/07/24/case-review-getty-v-italy-2024/For more information on how the Getty Villa has been impacted by the LA fires: https://www.npr.org/2025/01/09/nx-s1-5252939/getty-villa-museum-threatened-by-wildfire-but-collection-remains-safe Support the show

Hosts Paris Sistilli and Andrea Konigs sit down with Irina Tarsis and Atreya Mathur to introduce the Center for Art Law's new podcast, Art in Brief. Support the show