Joe Hage: The Art World's Unseen Power Broker
An accountant turned lawyer, Joe Hage has quietly become an influential figure in the art world, managing careers and building a unique services company.
Joe Hage, a figure described as the art world's most powerful person you might not know, has transitioned from accounting and commercial law to become a significant force in managing the careers of prominent artists. Since the early 2000s, Hage has advised wealthy and famous artists, including Damien Hirst and Peter Doig, focusing on entrepreneurial aspects of their careers rather than traditional art sales.
His approach is likened to that of a Hollywood agent, with a focus on shaping an artist's professional trajectory through sponsorship deals, partnerships, and gallery contracts. In addition to his work as an artist manager and a litigation advisor for major businesses, Hage established Heni, an international art services company. Heni collaborates with notable artists like Gerhard Richter and estates, such as Francis Bacon's, to produce various media, including prints, digital art, films, and research.
Hage, known for his discretion, gained broader attention when his firm, Joseph Hage Aaronson & Bremen, sponsored a significant Barbara Hepworth exhibition at London's Courtauld Gallery. As the art market evolves and artists seek alternative support models beyond conventional sales, Hage's innovative strategies are increasingly seen as a precedent at the highest level of the art world.