Nigel Greenwood Gallery

Nigel Palin Greenwood (1941-2004) was arguably one of the most influential gallery owners within the UK who helped shape contemporary art in Britain. During the early 1970’s he played a vital part in exhibiting the works of emerging artists to a wider British public. With no significant financial backing, he introduced artists that included Bill Jacklin, Christopher LeBrun, David Tremlett, Keith Milow, Terry Setch, Marc Chaimowicz, Gerard Hemsworth, Stephen Cox, Rita Donagh and Dhruva Mistry to the contemporary art collectors’ of the day and in so doing undoubtedly helped shape their careers. He was an Art History graduate from the Courtauld Institute who had also lived and studied in Rome. Greenwood served an apprenticeship as gallery manager at the Axiom promoting the work of British Abstract and Constructivist painters. By the end of the 1960’s Greenwood was renting gallery space in Chelsea to exhibit works by John Golding, Keith Milow and historically became the first presenter in England of Gilbert & George's 'Underneath The Arches'.

By 1971 Greenwood had established his eponymous gallery in the two large ground floor rooms of an apartment off Sloane Square, obliging him to live in the twilight of the basement zone. In the early 1980's the nature of the art market changed and financial pressures coupled with a need to reach a more eclectic audience forced Greenwood to relocate to the heart of London’s art market in New Burlington Street. A measure of his success was seen when he was chosen in 1985 to select the works for the iconic Hayward Annual exhibition, he was the only dealer ever so invited. The downturn in Britain’s art market at the beginning of the next decade forced a rethink and Nigel Greenwood closed his London gallery turning his knowledge and skilful eye to private dealing and client advice. Sothebys, London sold the contents of his gallery in 1992.