Sotheby's to Auction Works From Iconic American Photographers
The auction house will be taking over the Pilara Family Foundation's collection of historic, American imagery.
In 2010, Andy Pilara and his wife Mary founded Pier 24 Photography, a substantial collection of photographs dedicated to their love and admiration for visual storytelling, as well as their desire to engage with the community around them. Located in San Francisco's Embarcadero, the museum is a tranquil environment for visitors to observe art and learn about significant historical moments. The collection comprises work by iconic American photographers, including Richard Avedon, Robert Adams, Lee Friedlander, and Garry Winogrand, during the 20th century and post-war era. After 15 years, however, the couple announced they will be closing the Pier in 2025 and offered their collection to Sotheby's. The photographs will be up for auction in May, and the proceeds will go towards charitable prospects of the Pilara Family Foundation.
“Pier 24 Photography has a long-established reputation as one of the world’s premier photography collections, and the thoughtfulness and rigor that went into its formation is plainly evident in the number of works that would be welcome in any leading museum in the world," says Emily Bierman, Sotheby’s Global Head of Photographs. "As Andy was driven by his curiosity and passion to discover, the breadth of the Collection reveals many threads and narratives that spillover from artist to artist, presenting an opportunity to explore not only its comprehensive quality but also Andy’s singular stamp in bringing them together."
As one of the most respected spaces in the art world, Pier 24 has offered an array of programs for emerging photographers and commissions for their projects as well. It values the power of photography, and how images play a significant role in telling our country's story. The extent of the collection will be announced with live Evening and Day Sales at Sotheby’s New York on May 1 and May 2 and further auctions throughout the year. With an estimated $15 million value, the assortment of images is one of the most significant private collections of photography to ever come to auction.
The collection will be up for auction this May in New York.
