Blum & Poe Co-founder Jeff Poe Steps Down as Partner

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Jeff Poe is stepping down from his role at Blum & Poe after helming the gallery alongside Tim Blum for nearly three decades.

‘It’s been an incredible run, and I’m thrilled for Tim, Matt, the gallery artists, and the beloved staff as they all move forward together,’ said Poe in a statement.

As Poe goes down what he called ‘a simpler and more fluid path’, Matt Bangser who has been a long-time partner to the gallery in New York will step into the newly created role of Managing Partner.

‘Working with Tim and Jeff for nearly fifteen years has been a constant inspiration,’ Bangser said. ‘We are entering this next chapter with tremendous forward momentum, and I am excited to build on our successes with Tim and the team.’

Tim Blum and Jeff Poe started the gallery in 1994 with a 1,200-square-foot space and what Blum called ‘a paltry sum of money’.

It has since played a key role in developing the careers of artists including Mark Grotjahn, Henry Taylor, Asuka Anastacia Ogawa, Anna Park, and Umar Rashid.

The gallery also introduced Japanese and Korean postwar and contemporary movements, including Dansaekhwa, Mono-ha, and Superflat to U.S. audiences. It held debut L.A. shows for artists such as Yoshitomo Nara, Takashi Murakami, and Lee Ufan.

Today, Blum & Poe represents over 60 artists with locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.

In future pursuits Poe will continue to explore the quieter aspects of running a gallery, such as real-estate, architecture, and design. He will also continue to work with art and artists.

‘I have to,’ he said. ‘It’s given me great joy and nothing is more important to me.’

The gallery’s name will remain unchanged. —[O]

Main image: Tim Blum & Jeff Poe. Courtesy Blum & Poe. Photo: August Blum.