Wealth and dishonour do not have to go hand in hand, however the two often make for an intriguing combination. Bring modern art into the mix and you have a potent blend of intrigue. Orlando Whitfield, a seasoned art dealer and gallery owner in London, has been at the forefront of this rich yet vile landscape for over a decade, often in companionship with former friend, Inigo Philbrick.
In a tale filled with greed, extravagance, and deceptive lies so intricate it feels as though you’re sliding across a bizarre mirrored reality, even their somewhat flamboyant names barely scratch the surface of this almost unfathomable scenario.
At the heart of the story, Philbrick, who was discharged into house arrest in January this year, had confessed to carrying out a large-scale art scam in 2021. Quite simply, he oversold shares in the same pieces of art to multiple people and even sold art pieces that he didn’t possess. It raises the question – how does such a scenario come about? Usually, when you purchase an art piece, it becomes your possession to display at home.
However, in this particular sphere of the art world, art functions as a guarantee, a type of investment, a method of shuffling money, and an item to profitably turn around. It is notable that early in the book, Whitfield, an evocative and unashamedly contentious writer, concentrates on scrutinising a buyer’s behaviour and attire, while succinctly dismissing the actual art piece in two words: “the [Paula] Rego”.
The narrative, ‘All That Glitters’, carries all the hallmarks: Philbrick, a handsome and charismatic character, an array of renowned figures within the art world, questionable individuals, trendy nightclubs, and exquisite wines. However, never fall into the trap of assuming that this is the embodiment of art. It represents what wealth can do to art. The same applies to property and environmental conservation: subject to affluent but objectionable individuals, everything eventually spoils.
From the start, Whitfield brushes off anyone who isn’t engrossed in six-figure sums, labelling them as lowly opportunists, despite his own inner turmoil. The chronicle of his camaraderie with Philbrick, laced throughout his book, is somewhat complex, marking only the beginning of his many forthcoming exploits. In March, a comprehensive expose titled “Confessions of Inigo Philbrick” featured in Vanity Fair, and a series on BBC is due to broadcast later this summer.