Venus Over Manhattan gallery closing after 14 years of art exhibitions

Venus Over Manhattan, the New York gallery founded by collector Adam Lindemann in 2012, will close after its current exhibition of works by painter Susumu Kamijo concludes on July 18, 2025, ending a respected institution that bridged historical and contemporary art through exhibitions featuring artists like Peter Saul, Joan Brown, Jack Goldstein, and many others who had been traditionally underrecognized.

Adam Lindemann's Art Journey

Adam Lindemann emerged as a provocative force in the contemporary art world, challenging traditional market approaches with his bold collecting strategies. As the founder of Venus Over Manhattan in 2012, he transformed the gallery into a respected institution that bridged historical and contemporary art, featuring artists like Peter Saul, Joan Brown, and Jack Goldstein. His swashbuckling approach often proved successful, cementing his reputation as one of the most influential collectors globally.artspace+3

Beyond his gallery work, Lindemann authored acclaimed books on collecting contemporary art and design, wrote a column for the New York Observer, and made headlines with strategic market moves. His notable sales include Jeff Koons' "Hanging Heart (Magenta/Gold)" for $23.5 million in 2007 and Jean-Michel Basquiat's "Untitled (Devil)" for $57.3 million in 2016, demonstrating his market acumen. Lindemann's commitment to nurturing emerging talent alongside established icons like Damien Hirst created a distinctive dialogue between artistic generations that became a hallmark of his curatorial approach.sites.google+3

Notable Exhibition History

Venus Over Manhattan established a reputation for mounting significant exhibitions that brought attention to overlooked artists while also showcasing established figures. The gallery's programming reflected its mission to illuminate diverse historical and contemporary artists through dynamic rotating exhibitions and scholarly publications. Over its decade-plus history, Venus staged major exhibitions featuring works by renowned artists including Billy Al Bengston, Katherine Bernhardt, Bernard Buffet, Alexander Calder, Maurizio Cattelan, William N. Copley, Walter Dahn, Roy De Forest, Mike Kelley, and Andy Warhol.independenthq+1

The gallery's exhibition calendar for 2024-2025 demonstrated its continued commitment to diverse programming, featuring shows by Brad Kahlhamer, Elizabeth Colomba, Richard Mayhew, and Susumu Kamijo. Venus also championed artists new to its program, such as Claude Lawrence, a jazz musician-turned-painter whose "Reflections on Porgy & Bess" exhibition in early 2024 showcased his improvisational, jazz-influenced abstract paintings. The gallery's curatorial approach consistently sought to expand the Western canon by highlighting artists who had been traditionally underrecognized, enriching art historical narratives and broadening the spectrum of celebrated artists across global institutions.venusovermanhattan+4

las exhibit before gallery closing

Venus Over Manhattan's final exhibition, "Fish & Flowers" by Brooklyn-based artist Susumu Kamijo, opened on June 10, 2025, at the gallery's 39 Great Jones Street location. This show represents Kamijo's third solo exhibition with the gallery and will remain on view through July 18, 2025, marking the conclusion of Venus Over Manhattan's 13-year run.artsy+2

The gallery maintained its commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices until the very end, with exhibitions in its final season including works by Richard Mayhew, whose "Watercolor" exhibition (November 7, 2024 – January 18, 2025) was particularly significant as it was the first presentation of Mayhew's work since his passing at age 100. Elizabeth Colomba also had a debut exhibition with the gallery in early 2025, demonstrating Venus Over Manhattan's continued dedication to expanding artistic narratives even as it prepared to close its doors.venusovermanhattan+1