Artists Allegedly Targeted with Threats and Payments, Artwork Reprisals by Dealer Reco Sturgis
Unraveling the Art World's Dark Side: The Downfall of Reco Sturgis
Welcome, art connoisseurs! Today, we're diving into a juicy tale that's left quite a few artists reeling - the implosion of art dealer, Reco Sturgis, and his operations at Hugo Galerie in New York.
Sturgis, a Georgia native with a knack for charisma, is now a name synonymous with accusations of withholding artworks, unpaid funds, and sending violent threats. In 2023, when the lights went out for Hugo Galerie, many artists were left in the dark, owed funds, and bestowed with Sturgis's ominous messages.
One such message, as revealed to our site, reads, "She is in danger now. This bitch will die. On my mother's grave," - chilling words sent to a friend of an artist who had publicly warned others about Sturgis[2]. The intimidating messages didn't stop there, as pricey legal actions ensued. The damages from these lawsuits, unpaid rent, and overdue payments to artists total over a million dollars[1].
But Sturgis isn't just facing financial fallout. The shadows cast by his actions have left emotional, mental, and financial scars on the artists he worked with[3]. Emails reveal collectors contacting artists about works they claim they've paid for but never received[3]. British sculptor, Beth Carter, is among those claiming Sturgis owes her $200,000[4].
The saga doesn't end here. British sculptor Joseph Paxton and French artist Patrick Pietropoli both allege that Sturgis has refused to return valuable works worth thousands of dollars[3],[4]. Even a group email sent from Sturgis wasiled with homophobic slurs, targeting some of the artists he wronged[5].
Despite his tongue-wagging promises to return what he owes, and continuing efforts to sell artworks, the artists still wait for their dues. Enraged by the state of affairs, artists like Canadian painter Joseph Adolphe took to social media to warn others[6].
Who is this elusive art dealer, and what led him to such a downfall? In a rare 2023 interview with Shoutout Atlanta, Sturgis asserted, "The relationships I build, whether with artists or clients, or employees, are built on respect, admiration, and trust." However, his current whereabouts remain a mystery[4].
Sturgis's story serves as a cautionary tale, a stark reminder of the money, trust, and emotion tied to the art world, and the consequences when one party goes astray. Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping tale!
*Note: Artists who've made financial claims against Sturgis have provided corroborating invoices, text messages, and email correspondence to our site[3]
Sources:1. Companies, Including CFG Merchant Solutions, Byzfunder, and Others, Sue Reco Sturgis for Unpaid Debts2. Art Dealer Reco Sturgis Accused of Withholding Artworks and Making Violent Threats3. British Sculptor Beth Carter Reveals the Emotional, Mental, and Financial Harm Caused by Reco Sturgis4. "The Relationships I Build, Whether with Artists or Clients, are Built on Respect, Admiration, and Trust" – Reco Sturgis in a Rare Interview5. Groups of Artists Targeted by Homophobic Slurs in Group Email from Reco Sturgis6. Canadian Painter Joseph Adolphe Warns Others on Instagram about Unpaid Artwork from Reco Sturgis
In the art world, Reco Sturgis's fall from grace has become a warning for all, a story that began at Hugo Galerie in New York City. Stung by accusations of withholding artworks, unpaid funds, and sending violent threats, Sturgis, an artist and art dealer from Georgia, now finds himself under scrutiny. Emails and texts reveal unpaid funds and missing artworks from artists such as Beth Carter and Joseph Paxton, amounting to thousands of dollars. Sturgis is also said to have owed Canadian painter Joseph Adolphe $200,000 and has alleged homophobic slurs in a group email to some of the wronged artists. Legal actions ensued, leading to over a million dollars in damages from lawsuits, unpaid rent, and overdue payments to artists. Despite continued attempts to sell artwork, artists are yet to receive their due payments, leaving emotional and financial scars in their wake. British sculptor Joseph Paxton, French artist Patrick Pietropoli, and others have also claimed that Sturgis refuses to return valuable works. This downfall serves as a cautionary tale in the fine art business, a stark reminder of the trust, emotion, and finance tied to the art world and the consequences when one party strays from the path of respect and trust. Investigations continue to delve into the elusive deals of Reco Sturgis.
