As estate business becomes big business, Hauser & Wirth is now representing the Italian Modernist sculptor, Fausto Melotti, who died in 1986. The gallery is marking the news at its Art Basel booth (D10) with a trademark, delicately soldered work, Il Cinema (1965) on sale for €700,000.
Marc Payot, the gallery's partner and vice president, says there is a “perception gap” as Melotti is less known outside of Europe: “We look forward to promoting him worldwide.” The gallery’s first Melotti show is “likely to be in New York,” though a decision has yet to be made, Payot says.