From Idyllic Switzerland and Beyond with Rachel Lehmann

Why It Matters

Layman’s story illustrates how calculated risk and adaptability can sustain galleries through market upheavals, offering a roadmap for dealers, collectors, and investors navigating today’s volatile art economy.

Key Takeaways

• Early risk‑taking propelled Layman Mopin’s global expansion over three decades
• Jeff Koons ‘Made in Heaven’ show illustrated costly artistic gambles
• Collecting personally differs from gallery buying; both inform decisions
• Art market now regional, slower, emphasizing physical viewing
• Geopolitical tensions and tech reshape dealer strategies and buyer behavior

Summary

The Bearfax podcast marks the 30th anniversary of Layman Mopin Gallery, featuring co‑founder Rashelle Layman as she reflects on three decades of growth from a modest Swiss space to a presence on three continents. The conversation traces the gallery’s evolution, from early shows like Jeff Koons’s controversial "Made in Heaven" exhibition to its current navigation of a fragmented, technology‑driven market.

Layman emphasizes that youthful risk‑taking—buying back an entire unsold Koons show and investing in high‑cost pieces such as a $65,000 Kamasutra glass work and a $350,000 marble bust—was essential to establishing the gallery’s reputation. She distinguishes personal collecting from dealer acquisitions, noting that her husband Jean‑Pierre and partner David Mopin influence decisions differently, and that collectors often act as adventurous patrons rather than profit‑driven buyers.

Memorable anecdotes include the decision to purchase the whole Koons show despite no sales, the price dynamics of the Kamasutra piece, and the later sale of a marble bust to a Brussels foundation. Layman also observes that the art world’s geography has shifted: China now rivals the West, digital platforms coexist with physical fairs, and geopolitical instability has dampened sales in traditional hubs.

The interview underscores that contemporary gallerists must balance bold, early‑stage bets with a renewed focus on regional buyers who demand in‑person viewing. Technology remains vital, but the market’s slower pace and heightened emphasis on tangible experiences suggest a hybrid model where physical presence and strategic risk continue to drive success.

Original Description

Host Josh Baer is joined by storied gallerist, Rachel Lehmann, co-founder of Lehmann Maupin, as the gallery celebrates its 30th year in business. Tune in to hear about her early days in Lausanne, a saucy Jeff Koons show, how the gallery has evolved and adapted in three decades, and what the future may hold. From Idyllic Switzerland and Beyond with Rachel Lehmann is out now on all major podcast platforms and at www.thebaerfaxtpodcast.com (https://www.thebaerfaxtpodcast.com) .

This episode, recorded on March 21st 2026, is brought to you by Ursula - A Magazine of Contemporary Culture by Hauser & Wirth.