The Story Behind Cottingham Fine Art

“When I was a child my mother said to me, ‘If you become a soldier, you’ll be a general. If you become a monk, you’ll be the pope.’ Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.” – Pablo Picasso

I believe it is one of life’s greatest gifts, to be able to pursue a career in a field that one is truly passionate about and that enriches ones life on every level as we begin the arduous climb up the ladder to success. To this day, I can remember the beginning of my journey and the precise moment when my passion for the arts was ignited.

It was in 1969, at the age of thirteen, when, during a family holiday to Florence I found myself separated from my parents and lost among the riches of the Uffizi Gallery. Oddly enough I was not panicked but felt rather comforted surrounded by some of the world’s most magnificent works of art. My solitary stroll came to an abrupt end when I reached Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”. I was in awe, a young boy struck and captivated by the presence of so much beauty. I did not want to leave. Her image remained in my mind…my journey had begun…

In the years to come, college provided an opportunity to study art history and economics. Feeling the pressures of making a living, I decided to take on a job as a securities analyst in London. I had officially entered the working, world. Many of my weekends however were spent in some of London’s great museums, The Tate, the National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert. I discovered the city’s galleries and became immersed in its vibrant art community.

If Botticelli planted the seed for what was to become my life’s career, it was Theo Waddington, at Waddington Galleries in Toronto who finally helped me realize my dream. Having quickly become disillusioned with the world of finance and with little hope of actually landing this job, I had decided to interview with him for the position of Assistant to the Director of their Toronto gallery. The Birth of Venus must have bestowed her blessings on me on this day… A week later I was on a flight to Toronto. Within two years I became Director of Waddington Galleries and was transferred to New York City, the epicenter of the art world. Now I was buying and selling the great masters of the 20th century and contemporary artists, talking to renowned critics, and meeting with some of the world’s most distinguished collectors. I learned more and more about art but most importantly I learned about the art of the deal.

The mid 1980s brought upon a recession in the art world. It was a good time to go back to college for my MBA and to reflect upon where to go from here. The recession however also brought about the re-emergence of the big auction houses. It was not long after I graduated that I landed a position at Sotheby’s as a business manager. A new world opened up for me. It was a world of transactions, deals, globalization, process, but best of all an exposure to a vast encyclopedia of art and a breadth of client relationships. My thirty year career at Sotheby’s encompassed a variety of management responsibilities starting off in the fine arts area and ultimately culminating in managing all the North and South America offices. I was incredibly fortunate to have worked with extraordinary colleagues and trusted clients worldwide throughout the years and am forever grateful for their friendship and continued support and trust.

Today I have transitioned to running my own consulting company, Cottingham Fine Art. If asked to reflect upon my career and draw from my own meandering experience in the art world I shall say the following: Be honest with the clients, do not lose sight of what is important, do not aim for short term goals but remember the importance of objective advice and the importance of the relationship, and if in Florence be sure to visit the Uffizi… you’ll never know what may come of it.