The Art Newspaper

James Turrell and his former dealer settle out of court

The battle began in 2007 when Michael Hue-Williams sought damages in excess of $2m

By Charlotte Burns. Web only
Published online: 26 August 2010

Turrell's Tall Glass series, here at the Phoenix Museum of Art, were at the centre of the case (Photo: Ken Howie)

london. The legal battle between artist James Turrell and his former dealer Michael Hue-Williams has been settled out of court. The case centred on a group of works from Turrell's “Tall Glass” series.

Hue-Williams first filed suit in July 2007, seeking damages in excess of $2m. He claimed that Turrell reneged on an agreement to create works from the series, which Hue-Williams had pre-sold to clients. “I never had any agreement with Michael Hue-Williams in regards to the sale of the “Tall Glass” series. The settlement confirms that,” said Turrell.

According to the legal papers, Hue-Williams has agreed to “expressly relinquish any rights” to the works and will write letters to the six clients involved in the case to “clear up any possible confusion.”

The letter states: “Although I may have suggested to you that I had paid James his portion, at no time did I share with James any payments you made to me towards the purchase of a Tall Glass work.” In a statement, Hue-Williams said: “I have obtained Mr Turrell's commitment to provide to my clients and me grey books confirming the authenticity of ten works created by Mr Turrell. In return for delivery of the ten grey books, I chose to forego my claims with respect to the 'Tall Glass' series.”

Hue-Williams has also agreed not to sell, or encourage others to sell, the Turrell works at auction for a period of three years. The company that ran Hue-Williams' Albion Gallery was put into administration in April last year.

Hue-Williams had also filed for damages in excess of $600,000, claiming that the artist owed him commissions on sales made to clients. “The settlement will cause Mr Turrell to provide me, as well as my clients, consideration which I value as totalling several millions of dollars,” said Hue-Williams.

Donn Zaretsky, representing Turrell, said the payment was “essentially a housekeeping matter concerning works that were never really in dispute during the litigation,” but that the artist did not think it “appropriate to pay while he was being sued by his dealer.”

Hue-Williams said that despite “issues with Mr Turrell... I continue to believe that he is an extremely important artist.” In his statement, Turrell concluded: “This was a painful chapter for me. I’m happy it is resolved. Needless to say, I want nothing to do with Michael or any Albion incarnation in the future.”