Jay Jopling is a prominent British art dealer and gallerist recognized for his significant influence on the contemporary art scene.
He is the founder of White Cube, a gallery that has played a key role in promoting and commercializing the work of famous artists such as Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Marc Quinn.
Jopling’s career began in the early 1990s when he opened the original White Cube gallery in London, which quickly became a leading venue for contemporary art exhibitions.
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- Full name: Jeremy Michael Jopling
- Nickname: Jay
- Date of birth: June 1963
- Age: 61 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England
- Nationality: English
- Occupation: Art dealer, gallerist
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Michael Jopling (father), Hilary Gail Dickinson (mother)
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Hikari Yokoyama (current), Sam Taylor-Wood (former)
- Children: Angelica Jopling (born June 1997), Jessie Phoenix Jopling (born November 2005), Djuna Mei Jopling (born 2019)
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: White
- Net worth: 50 million USD
Early life and education
Jay Jopling is currently aged 61. He was born in June 1963 in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. The son of Michael Jopling, a Conservative politician who served as Minister of Agriculture under Margaret Thatcher, he grew up in an environment that emphasized education and public service.
Jopling attended Eton College and then attended Edinburgh University, where he studied English Literature and Art History. During college, he became interested in contemporary art and organized a charity auction displaying works by famous artists, which helped him establish contacts in the world. art world.
After graduating with a master’s degree in 1984, Jopling moved to London, where he began to work closely with emerging artists. His early career included selling fire extinguishers door-to-door, which honed his sales skills and entrepreneurial spirit. This unique background laid the foundation for his future success as an art dealer.
Personal life
Jay Jopling was previously married to artist Sam Taylor-Wood from 1997 until their amicable separation in 2008. The couple shares two daughters, Angelica and Jessie Phoenix. After her marriage to Taylor-Wood, Jopling married Hikari Yokoyama, who worked for Paddle8, an online auction house. Together, they welcomed daughter Djuna Mei Jopling in 2019. Jopling maintains a relatively private personal life but is known for her vibrant social presence in the arts community.
Career
Jopling’s career began with the opening of the White Cube gallery in May 1993 on Duke Street in London. The gallery quickly became recognized for its innovative exhibition policy which showcased both British and international contemporary artists. Over the years, White Cube has organized solo exhibitions for some of the most influential figures in contemporary art, including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.
In addition to the original location, Jopling has expanded White Cube with several other spaces, including White Cube Hoxton Square in 2000 and White Cube Bermondsey in 2012, currently the largest location in his network of galleries. . His efforts have contributed to making London a leading center for contemporary art.
Jopling was also involved in Paddle8, an online auction platform where he made a significant investment before merging with Auctionata in 2016.
Net worth
Jay Jopling’s net worth is estimated at $50 million. His successful career as an influential gallerist and dealer shows that he amassed considerable wealth through his business activities in the contemporary art market.
Argumentative
Throughout his career, Jay Jopling has faced various controversies, mainly related to his role in shaping the contemporary art scene. His close association with the Young British Artists (YBA) movement attracted both admiration and criticism. Critics argue that by promoting artists such as Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, he contributed to the commercialization of art, prioritizing marketability over artistic integrity.
A significant controversy arose from Hirst’s work The physical impossibility of death in the mind of a living personwhich shows a shark preserved suspended in formaldehyde. Although this work has become iconic in the contemporary art world, it has also sparked debates about the ethics and nature of artistic expression. Many people question whether such works should be considered art or merely provocative stunts designed to attract attention.
Additionally, Jopling’s lavish parties and social gatherings sometimes overshadowed his professional achievements. Critics say these events contribute to a culture in the art world that favors celebrity over quality. Despite these controversies, many artists defend Jopling’s contributions to their careers and note his genuine enthusiasm for promoting their work.
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