Jay Jopling Biography: Net Worth, Age, Wikipedia, Wife, House, Son, Gallery

Jay Jopling is a prominent English art dealer and gallerist recognized for his significant influence on the contemporary art scene.

He is the founder of White Cube, a gallery that has played a pivotal role in promoting and commercializing the work of notable artists such as Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and Marc Quinn.

Jopling’s career began in the early 1990s when he opened the original White Cube gallery in London, which quickly became a leading venue for contemporary art exhibitions.

Profile

• Full name: Jeremy Michael Jopling
• Nickname: Jay
• Date of birth: June 1963
• Age: 61 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England
• Nationality: British
• Profession: Art dealer, gallerist
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Michael Jopling (father), Hilary Gail Dickinson (mother)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Hikari Yokoyama (current), Sam Taylor-Wood (former)
• Children: Angelica Jopling (born June 1997), Jessie Phoenix Jopling (born November 2005), Djuna Mei Jopling (born 2019)
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Net Worth: $50 million

Early Life and Education

Jay Jopling is now at the age of 61. He was born in June 1963 in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. As the son of Michael Jopling, a Conservative politician who served as Minister for Agriculture under Margaret Thatcher, he grew up in an environment that emphasized education and public service.

Jopling attended Eton College and later pursued higher education at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied English Literature and History of Art. During his time at university, he developed an interest in contemporary art and organized a charity auction featuring works from prominent artists, which helped him establish connections in the art world.

After graduating with an M.A. in 1984, Jopling moved to London, where he began working closely with emerging artists. His early career included selling fire extinguishers door-to-door, which honed his sales skills and entrepreneurial spirit. This unique background laid the foundation for his future success as an art dealer.

Personal Life

Jay Jopling was previously married to artist Sam Taylor-Wood from 1997 until their amicable separation in 2008. The couple shares two daughters, Angelica and Jessie Phoenix. Following his marriage to Taylor-Wood, Jopling married Hikari Yokoyama, who works for Paddle8, an online auction house. Together, they welcomed their daughter Djuna Mei Jopling in 2019. Jopling maintains a relatively private personal life but is known for his vibrant social presence within the art community.

Career

Jopling’s career took off with the opening of the White Cube gallery in May 1993 at Duke Street in London. The gallery quickly gained recognition for its innovative exhibition policy that showcased both British and international contemporary artists. Over the years, White Cube has hosted solo exhibitions for some of the most influential figures in contemporary art, including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.

In addition to the original location, Jopling expanded White Cube with several other spaces, including White Cube Hoxton Square in 2000 and White Cube Bermondsey in 2012, which is now the largest site within his gallery network. His efforts have been instrumental in establishing London as a leading center for contemporary art.

Jopling has also been involved with Paddle8, an online auction platform where he invested significantly before its merger with Auctionata in 2016.

Net Worth

Jay Jopling‘s net worth is estimated around $50 million. His successful career as an influential gallerist and dealer suggests that he has accumulated significant wealth through his ventures in the contemporary art market.

Controversy

Throughout his career, Jay Jopling has faced various controversies primarily related to his role in shaping the contemporary art landscape. His close association with the Young British Artists (YBA) movement has drawn both admiration and criticism. Critics argue that by promoting artists like Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, he contributed to a commercialization of art that prioritizes marketability over artistic integrity.

One significant controversy arose from Hirst’s work The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, which features a preserved shark suspended in formaldehyde. While this piece became iconic within contemporary art circles, it also sparked debates about ethics and the nature of artistic expression. Many questioned whether such works should be considered art or merely provocative stunts designed to attract attention.

Additionally, Jopling’s lavish parties and social gatherings have sometimes overshadowed his professional achievements. Critics suggest that these events contribute to a culture within the art world that favors celebrity over substance. Despite these controversies, many artists defend Jopling’s contributions to their careers and recognize his genuine enthusiasm for promoting their work.

Social Media

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