Like most years in the art world, 2024 saw a slew of lawsuits wind their way through the courts.
There were, of course, the professional relationships that went sour and the family drama that spilled into open court. But there were also stranger disputes, like a discrimination battle over an art installation in Australia. There were also cases that could have long-lasting legal consequences, like the artist who is challenging the U.S. Copyright Office’s rejection of his copyright for an artwork created with the help of A.I. and a class-action lawsuit filed against Philadelphia’s now-defunct University of the Arts. Some cases, like Mary Miss’s lawsuit against the Des Moines Art Center, landed the parties right back where they started. And, with many of the cases undecided, the stage is already set for 2025.
Below, for your reading pleasure, this year’s ten most interesting legal cases in the art world.