On this episode of Previously Unknown, we present a conversation between Adam Lindemann, founder of Venus Over Manhattan, and Brad Kahlhamer, a multimedia artist of Native American heritage, moderated by Puck’s Art Correspondent Marion Maneker, which was recorded live at Independent 20th Century’s public talks program with Puck. They discuss Kahlhamer’s journey in the art world and the growing prominence of Indigenous contemporary art in the industry.
Photo by Doug Miles
Brad Kahlhamer (b. 1956) is a distinctive voice in contemporary art, with a long history on the New York City scene. Born in Tucson, Arizona and adopted by a German-American family, Kahlhamer’s early life was marked by a blend of cultural influences. This ambiguity regarding his roots has profoundly influenced his art, driving his exploration of identity and cultural synthesis.
In discussing his work and its context, Kahlhamer has articulated a vision of art that operates within this "third place," a space that merges different realities and cultural backgrounds. This concept resonates with the historical context of indigenous ledger drawings, which transformed the spaces of colonial documentation into vibrant narratives of resistance and survival. For Kahlhamer, this intersection of cultures and experiences is not merely a thematic choice but a fundamental aspect of his artistic identity.
Kahlhamer’s art has been exhibited extensively in the United States and internationally. His works are included in the collections of prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the Seattle Art Mu- seum, the Denver Art Museum, and many others.
Adam Lindemann is a collector, writer, gallerist, arts patron, and investment entrepreneur recognized internationally as a leading tastemaker. Known for his prescience, and admired as a cultural innovator, guided by an uncanny sense of the zeitgeist, Lindemann is recognized as one of the world’s foremost collectors of 20th and 21st century art and design. Born in New York City, he was immersed from an early age in the city’s vibrant cultural milieu, from Andy Warhol’s Factory and the studios of artists across generations, to auction house sale rooms.
In 2012, Lindemann founded Venus Over Manhattan, a gallery devoted to curated exhibitions of both historic and contemporary art. Venus has garnered critical acclaim for its dynamic program and dedication to such iconoclastic, pathbreaking artists as Peter Saul, Jim Nutt, Joan Brown, Maryan, Jack Goldstein, H.C. Westermann, Keiichi Tanaami, and Joseph Yoakum, among others. Prior to founding his gallery, Lindemann was also known for his 4 YEARS AT THE NY OBSERVER popular art column in The New York Observer, providing informative and often unabashedly ironic insights into the art market. He is the author of two of Taschen Books’ bestselling art volumes, Collecting Contemporary and Collecting Design. Lindemann also has been a key supporter of exhibitions at the New Museum, The Jewish Museum in New York, the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in Israel.
Marion Maneker was previously the President of the art publications at Penske Media Corporation, the publisher of HarperBusiness and a features editor at New York Magazine. He founded Art Market Monitor which produced the Artelligence conference, podcast and newsletter. He has covered the art market for more than 25 years.