Hauser & Wirth Launches Gallery Space for Prints and Editions

Hauser & Wirth is just one of the many galleries who have taken steps to transform the art book publishing industry in recent years. Many mega-galleries have adopted publishing as a way to further their artist’s message and enrich art historical scholarship in their own ways. 

Take David Zwirner Books, Pace Publishing, or Gagosian’s Quarterly Magazine. These publishing arms allow galleries to create publications that serve as powerful marketing tools, elevate an artist’s visibility, and attract collectors, scholars, and art enthusiasts alike. 

Most galleries that have taken on publishing, have opted to offer publications online or at their front desks including David Zwirner, Pace Publishing, and Lisson’s online bookshop, among others.

Gagosian, which opened its gift and book store, Gagosian Shop, on the Upper East Side in 2009, was one of the first to make publishing a priority by giving it a brick and mortar outlet.

Hauser & Wirth had a shop and cafe in their old 22nd Street building, but did away with it when they built their new gallery at 542 West 22nd Street. In 2019, Hauser & Wirth Publishers opened their headquarters in Zurich. 

Publishing has always been an important part of the gallery’s program since its founding. Before they opened their own in-house imprint, the gallery partnered with major publishing houses such as Yale University Press and Thames & Hudson to produce its publications.