Shandling art collection going up for auction
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — Dozens of paintings and other works of art from the estate of comedian Garry Shandling will be offered for sale at a show in New Mexico this week.
Organizers of the annual Objects of Art Santa Fe say this will be the first public viewing of Shandling’s collection, which includes Navajo rugs, Southwest furniture and pieces by Mexican artists Francisco Zuniga and Alfredo Ramos Martinez.
More than 40 of Shandling’s personal pieces from his California home will be offered, ranging from a couple hundred dollars to more than $40,000.
The 66-year-old comedian, who died in March, stopped in Santa Fe often to vacation and buy art. Some of the pieces up for sale were originally purchased in Santa Fe, and it was through the recommendations of family and friends in California and relationships among art dealers that the pieces are finding their way back to New Mexico’s art capital.
“Obviously Garry enjoyed the Southwest and enjoyed Santa Fe and this style of work, so it was an exciting combination that we were doing the Objects show at the same time that they were ready to release the collection,” said Kim Martindale, a co-producer of the show.
Shandling was raised in Tucson, Arizona. On arriving in Los Angeles as a young adult, it was a short hop from a brief stint in the advertising business to comedy writing and stand-up.
While he was best known for his punchlines, his love of art resulted in regular appearances at the annual LA Art Show.
“He definitely was a collector. He definitely was involved in the art world but he wasn’t super public about that,” Martindale said. “He certainly had a house full of really nice paintings and furniture and Navajo textiles.”