Arts
**Art in Brief**

**Have you ever wondered how the law shapes the world of art?**

In Art in Brief, a podcast for the Center for Art Law, Paris Sistilli and Andrea Konigs break down the biggest, most exciting questions about art, law, and art law – delving into everything from copyright disputes and contracts, to art theft, provenance, and intellectual property.

**Cover Art by Kira Kotler Design and Music by Roy Tabet, Edited by Paris Sistilli**

For more information check out the Center for Art Law: https://itsartlaw.org/

Latest Episodes:

The Man Who Stole the Gods Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to report and write a story about stolen art, war, and the people caught at the center of it?

In our latest episode of Art in Brief, Andrea and Paris are joined by Matthew Campbell, award-winning reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek and author of The Man Who Stole the Gods, to discuss his years-long investigation into the looting and trafficking of ancient Khmer artifacts from Cambodia.

We talk about Matthew’s research and reporting process, why he chose to center the story around the book’s main characters, and how he approached telling the stories of complicated figures with nuance and empathy.

Listen to the latest episode of Art in Brief wherever you get your podcasts. Resources from the Center for Art Law and a link to Matthew’s book are linked below:

https://itsartlaw.org/art-law/era-of-despoilment-looting-in-cambodia-1970-2010/

Read Matthew's book:

https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Stole-Gods-Conspiracy/dp/B0FYM8H6DR/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=176765513495&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.w4vr5gaQ1DOINaPztVk_cRtrS7dmujglZON1r71_ACYNkGO7ALoQPLqpig7xGsBSj0v7vkInXWh6I5Zw8job_9NN_m0vafeEsc6NS7tb7cvjqSYcpDSMfgPA5PiY-Hi8Ud2GbEteTTjN3F6B4k9XQPpSSgPl7xgTYch7gajzwZCC8JT1EfxG8ny0y_TIxF9F258ty-Gg3sz6OB-8G1kH5w.P4BOqNzLgtaEuuO4XVFu71S8pCltFXJJnGU-Jub0z5M&dib_tag=se&hvadid=777917649781&hvdev=m&hvexpln=68&hvlocphy=9198132&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=636994792264238302--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=636994792264238302&hvtargid=kwd-2499641917404&hydadcr=15147_13840105&keywords=the+man+who+stole+the+gods&mcid=09d7cf031cce30b18102723217a114a8&qid=1787349338&sr=8-1

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On Privacy and Photography with Cathy Kaplan Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

In a world shaped by smartphones, smart glasses, and AI, what should be considered acceptable when images can be captured and shared so widely?
In 2015, Martha and Matthew Foster sued photographer Arne Svenson, who had spent the previous year taking photographs of them inside their home through their windows, without their knowledge. The court ultimately ruled in the photographer’s favor, citing his right to artistic expression.
In this episode of Art in Brief, Andrea and Paris are joined by Cathy Kaplan - lawyer, professor, and chair of the boards of the Yale art gallery and Aperture, as well as the Whitney photography committee - to discuss the questions this case raises about privacy, consent, artistic freedom, and commercial use.

Check out our Zurich Intensive: https://itsartlaw.org/events/art-x-law-intensive/

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What is the Cultural Heritage At Risk Database? Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Art in Brief, Andrea and Paris speak with Will Korner, founder and director of the Cultural Heritage At Risk Database Foundation (CHARD).
From conflict zones to disaster-stricken regions, Will discusses how documentation, collaboration, and technology can help safeguard the objects and stories that connect us to our shared past from illicit trade. He also explains how CHARD’s database can be used to cross-check whether stolen or missing cultural objects are appearing on the art market, including at auction, and what is at stake when these irreplaceable pieces of heritage are lost.

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The Making of an Icon: Jean-Michel Basquiat Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with art market expert Doug Woodham to unpack how Jean-Michel Basquiat became one of the most enduring cultural icons of our time.

Moving beyond his rise in 1980s New York, this episode focuses on what happened after his death. We explore how his estate, led by his father, shaped his legacy through control of supply, copyright, and narrative; how early collectors and market forces drove the value of his work; and how museums and media cemented his place in art history.

Together, we explore the bigger question: is creating great art enough, or does becoming an icon require an entire ecosystem working behind the scenes?

Read Doug's book here:

https://www.amazon.com/Jean-%C2%ADMichel-Basquiat-Making-Doug-Woodham/dp/0500030693

Also, please join us on May 27 for the highly anticipated Art Law Conference 2026, held at Brooklyn Law School and Online (Hybrid). Entitled “What is Copy, Right? Visual Art, AI, and the Law in the 21st Century,” this year’s conference explores the evolving relationship between visual art, copyright law, and artificial intelligence:

https://itsartlaw.org/2026-art-law-conference-new-york-city/

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Inside the Rema Hort Mann Foundation: From Emerging Artists to the Next Generation of Collectors Mar 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with Elysia Borowy, Executive Director of the Rema Hort Mann Foundation, Christy Ceriale, founder of the foundation’s Young Collectors Initiative, and Antonio Vidal, one of the recipients of the 2026 Emerging Artist Grant.

Through these three perspectives, we explored the inner workings of one of New York’s most prominent art foundations, hearing firsthand about the realities of running a philanthropic arts organization, building a career as a working artist, and navigating the world of collecting as a young person in the city.

Founded in 1995, the Rema Hort Mann Foundation supports both emerging visual artists and individuals battling cancer, providing grants and resources at pivotal moments in their lives and careers.

Learn more about the foundation and its programs here:

https://www.remahortmannfoundation.org/

Check out Antonio's work here:

https://www.instagram.com/antonio.vidal.l/

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From Khartoum to Cairo: Saving Sudan’s Heritage with Ali Nour Feb 01, 2026

Show notes

In our first episode of the year, Paris and Andrea speak with Ali Nour, who recounts his journey from Khartoum to Cairo amid the ongoing civil war, and describes how he became involved with the Emergency Response Committee - a group of Sudanese heritage officials working to safeguard Sudan’s cultural heritage.

Upcoming Events:

Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Copyright Law:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-lawyering-bootcamp-copyright-law-tickets-1977628671593?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Artist Legacy & Estate Planning Clinic:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-legacy-estate-planning-clinic-tickets-1369639341139?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

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Patty Gerstenblith on Cultural Heritage Law & Armed Conflict Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

What happens when culture becomes collateral damage in war?

In this episode of Art in Brief, we speak with Patty Gerstenblith, a leading expert on cultural heritage law, about the destruction of cultural sites in recent armed conflicts.

We examine the role of international courts, the limits of accountability, and whether the law can truly protect history in times of war.

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Authenticity and Algorithms: An Interview with Carina Popovici Nov 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Paris and Andrea sit down with Carina Popovici, a physicist turned art tech entrepreneur and the founder of Art Recognition.

Together, we explore how her team trains AI to read an artist’s hand, detect forgeries, and bring more transparency to the art market. We also dive into the ethical stakes, from questions of bias to concerns about authority and accountability, as technology begins to influence how we understand our cultural past.

Check out the Framework for Responsible Use of AI in Art Authentication, developed by Art Recognition and the Center for Art Law, a nonprofit organization based in the United States.

https://art-recognition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Framework-for-Responsible-Use-of-AI-in-Art-Authentication-final.pdf

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Protecting Cultural Heritage in Ukraine Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Paris and Andrea are joined by Roksolana Makar and Anastasiia Olexii to discuss how Ukrainians are fighting back against Russia’s assault on their cultural heritage From documenting destroyed sites to preserving artifacts and seeking justice for cultural war crimes, they show how protecting heritage is central to defending the nation's identity.

For more information on HeMo, the Ukrainian Heritage Monitoring Lab, the Raphael Lemkin Society and Wall Evidence, check out the resources below!

People of Culture Taken Away By The War:

https://pen.org.ua/en/lyudy-kultury-yakykh-zabrala-vijna

HeMo:

https://www.heritage.in.ua/

War Archive:

https://ukrainewararchive.org/eng/

Wall Evidence:

https://wallevidence.mizhvukhamy.com/

https://instagram.com/wallevidence

Raphael Lemkin Society:

https://www.facebook.com/lemkin.society

https://lemkin.org.ua/index_en.html

https://www.instagram.com/lemkin_society?igsh=ZHp6eGx5ZG1kYzVx

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Art Under the First Amendment: Freedom, Limits, and Controversy Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Paris and Andrea are joined by Simon Frankel and Stephen Urice, co-authors of the newly released 6th edition of Law, Ethics, and the Visual Arts, the leading textbook shaping the field of art law.

Together, they explore the complex relationship between artistic freedom and government authority and unpack how the First Amendment applies to visual art.
From the cancellation of Amy Sherald’s exhibition at the Smithsonian to landmark legal battles over obscenity and censorship, we ask: