1987

Iran-Contra affair ends

The Simpsons airs for the 1st time

Dow Jones closes highest ever at 2,510.04

1st Kentucky Fried Chicken opens in China

Andy Warhol dies

Jim Kempner becomes an art dealer

1997

Princess Diana and Allen Ginsberg die

1st sheep to be cloned

Pathfinder Mars Rover sends pictures back from Mars

Steve Jobs returns to Apple

Jim Kempner Fine Art opens its doors at 501 W. 23rd St.

This year, we celebrate 35 years in business and 25 years in Chelsea on the corner of 23rd and 10th. As I think back, I remember all the wonderful accidents that led us here, the paths chanced upon, the magical discoveries, the beautiful friendships, the art and artists, and the fascinating lives encountered, sometimes just for a fleeting moment. All of this has helped make JKFA the place it is today. It has been a lucky, exciting, endless thrill ride, and I want to thank everyone who has made this adventure possible.

We get one chance at life, which makes the twists and turns and unexpected connections so important. As Henry James put it in “The Middle Years”:

“We live in the dark. We do what we can.
We give what we have. Our doubt is our
passion, and our passion is our task.
The rest is the madness of art.”

Our little corner of the world continues to house “The Madness of Art” in all its many incarnation