Marian Goodman's Multiples, Inc. Banners Return To Independent 20Th Century

(MENAFN- USA Art News) A collection of special editions published by Marian Goodman, initially through the Betsy Ross Flag and Banner Company and later under her own imprint, Multiples, Inc., will be a highlight of the 2026 Independent 20th Century fair. These works, many of which have not been publicly displayed together in decades, include artist-designed banners by notable figures such as Robert Indiana, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Helen Frankenthaler, and Miriam Schapiro. The fair will be hosted at the Breuer building, the former home of the Whitney Museum and the Met, which became Sotheby's U.S. headquarters last year.

Multiples, Inc. commissioned 50 different banners between 1963 and 1972, produced in editions of 20 or 30. Each banner was signed and numbered by the artist on a label attached to its reverse. A document from their original release stated,“Banners represent a new original edition art medium: signed, limited edition, large wall hangings created in felt and vinyl by foremost contemporary artists.” Artists conceived the designs, selected materials and colors, and oversaw execution by artisans to ensure consistency across each edition.

This year's edition of Independent 20th Century will feature 56 exhibitors, a significant increase from 31 in the 2025 fair. They will present works by more than 130 artists, with a focus on solo surveys, thematic presentations, and specific movements. According to Elizabeth Dee, director of Independent, the Breuer building provides an ideal context for this presentation due to its focus on a concentrated historical period. The display will coincide with the release of an associated publication.

Junette Teng, managing partner at Marian Goodman Gallery, noted the serendipitous nature of the exhibition. She told Observer,“Exhibiting the Banners at Independent 20th Century feels serendipitous because Multiples, Inc. opened its first storefront just a block away from the Breuer on Madison Avenue in 1965.” Teng added that the exhibition marks a“full-circle moment,” returning to the gallery's origins as it celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.

Goodman founded Multiples, Inc. in 1965 with five partners, some of whom had previously produced editioned banners with contemporary artists through the Betsy Ross Flag and Banner Company. Goodman assumed sole ownership of the company in 1974, and it continued to operate until 1992, even after she opened her eponymous gallery in 1977. The banners, designed to be display-ready between polished aluminum bars, were a strategy to make contemporary art accessible to a wider audience, including middle-class households. This democratic vision may have contributed to Goodman's ability to build a loyal collector base.

Many of these banners entered the collections of major institutions such as New York's Museum of Modern Art, as well as corporate collections including Chase Manhattan Bank, Coca-Cola, and The World Bank. Archival documents reveal that a Roy Lichtenstein banner, originally sold for $500, later fetched $4,200. Goodman passed away in January, and this presentation follows Christie's May sale of her art collection, which realized $78.8 million, with Kerze by Gerhard Richter selling for $35.1 million.

Source: Observer Arts

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