The Baer Faxt Podcast: Art in Saudi Arabia with Mohammed Hafiz

In this episode, host Josh Baer speaks with ATHR Gallery and ATHR Foundation co-founder Mohammed Hafiz. In part one of the conversation, Baer and Hafiz engage with core questions related to the art of Saudi Arabia, tackling both its local and international contexts, and the differences between western, eastern, and middle eastern approaches to the market.   Then, tune in as Hafiz discusses Saudi Arabia’s unique approach to public-private collaboration and the gallery system; and, how art fairs have served as a unique gateway to Europe and beyond. Plus, his hopes to expand the reach of ATHR globally, and the most important strategies—both from the “playbook” and outside of it—for galleries and the artists they represent to engage new buyers.

Join us for the final part of our special three-part episode of Baer With Me as The Baer Faxt celebrates its 30th anniversary! Hosted by Luyang Jiang, listen as Josh Baer tackles the issues facing the art market today, alongside candid answers to art world questions from our listeners, readers, followers, and staff.   In this installment, tune in as Josh shares how The Baer Faxt Podcast came to be, his most memorable moments from the auction house sales floor, his “Mount Rushmore” of art dealers, and other expert insights into the art world from Baer’s more than 60 years in the business.   This concludes our special three-part series, Baer With Me: The Baer Faxt Turns Thirty. All three parts are available now at thebaerfaxtpodcast.com and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Join us for Part Two of a special three-part episode of Baer With Me as The Baer Faxt celebrates its 30th anniversary! Hosted by Luyang Jiang, listen as Josh Baer tackles the issues facing the art market today, alongside candid answers to art world questions from our listeners, readers, followers, and friends.   In this installment, tune in as Josh shares his take on the dilemma facing working artists of today, what success actually means for gallerists, and other expert insights into the art world from Baer’s more than 60 years in the business.   Keep an eye on our channels for part three, coming soon!

In this episode, guest Adam Sender continues his discussion with host Josh Baer, sharing stories from his years as one of the world’s foremost collectors, the factors that led to his decision to sell a large portion of his collection, and how he feels about the art world of today from the outside looking in.    Plus, tune in to hear Sender and Baer discuss the evolution of today’s hyper-globalized art world, how a great collection could be built with one single work, and how Sender’s feeling as we enter the next half of the 2020’s.   This is Part Two of a special two-part episode of The Baer Faxt Podcast. Part 1 is available now on all platforms and thebaerfaxtpodcast.com.

Join us for a special three-part episode of Baer With Me as The Baer Faxt celebrates its 30th anniversary! Hosted by The Baer Faxt President Luyang Jiang, tune in to hear Josh Baer recount memories and insights from the last three decades, alongside candid answers to burning art world questions from our listeners, readers, followers, and team.   In this installment, listen as Baer explains how The Baer Faxt began, what it’s like to be at the helm of a thirty year old institution, and other lessons learned from 64 years immersed in the art world.   Keep an eye on our channels for parts two and three, coming soon.

In this episode, the renowned collector Adam Sender invited us into his Miami home for a conversation with our host Josh Baer. In this special two-part episode, Sender charts his course from his middle class roots on Long Island, to being one of the most prominent collectors in the world, to his decision to sell a vast majority of his collection publicly at auction. Adam also shares with us the lessons he learned from developing one of the most robust collections in the world during the financial instability of the early 2000s, how his approach to collecting changed as he matured, and the relationships that helped him succeed. Look out for Part Two of this conversation in 2025.  

In this episode, our host Josh Baer speaks with guest Barbara Castelli, President of the legendary Castelli Gallery for the past twenty five years. In part one of the conversation, Castelli discusses her origins with the gallery, the importance of her late husband Leo Castelli’s legacy, and how Barbara’s sharp vision—alongside the trust of her artists and buyers—has carried and shaped the gallery into the present day.   Then, tune in as Castelli shares lessons learned from twenty five years at Castelli Gallery, how she navigates the idiosyncratic nature of conceptual art, and what makes a work truly “important” when it hits the market.   In part three of the conversation, Baer and Castelli dive deep into how the gallery model has changed in the 2020s, the re-evaluation of the Western art canon, and the finicky nature of “taste” when it comes to collecting art.

In this episode, our host Josh Baer speaks with returning guest, the ex-Blum and Poe Founder Jeff Poe. In part one of the conversation, Jeff discusses on the present and future states of the market, how galleries and artists can adapt to survive, and if the grass really is greener on the other side, one year after his retirement from the art world. Then, tune in as Poe shares his thoughts on the challenges facing galleries of all sizes, the pressures influencing today’s art prices, and the importance of separating the art from the ego. In part three of the conversation the two discuss how major galleries have–or haven’t—created succession plans, opportunities for the slow-moving art world to pivot in increasingly fast-moving times, and other “elephants in the room”.  Last but not least, stay tuned for the conclusion, in which Jeff shares his optimism for a radically reformed art world, what’s keeping people from splurging on art in the modern era, and what exactly he’s been up to in retirement.

In this episode, our host Josh Baer speaks with artist Takashi Murakami. In part one of the conversation, Murakami explains how he's built his global, multifaceted career, and reflects on his open letter in response to our episode with Jeff Poe.   Then, listen as Murakami discusses his relationship to pop culture & luxury, the difficulties for an Asian artist to prosper in the West, and how the lasting impacts of World War II have influenced Japan’s contemporary culture.   In part three of the conversation the two discuss Murakami's ideas on the future of art, how the political intersects with the whimsical in his work, and what’s next on the artist’s fast-paced global schedule.    Finally, stay tuned for an epic conclusion, where the tables are turned and Josh is placed in the hot seat—answering burning questions from Murakami on the state of the New York City art scene, what constitutes “great art” and how to see it, and recent takes from The Baer Faxt Newsletter.

In this episode, we take a look back at some of our team's favorite moments from the past year and a half of The Baer Faxt Podcast.   Join us as our host, Josh Baer, founder of The Baer Faxt, talks through highlights and epic stories from our exclusive, in-depth art world conversations with art world movers, shakers, and groundbreakers—from gallerist Jeff Poe and critic Jerry Saltz all the way to our very first episode with artist Beeple.   Whether you’re a longtime listener or just tuning in for the first time, we’ve hand-picked key notes and insights for you. So, kick back and tune in!