San Francisco’s ‘Pier 24 Photography’ Collection Heading to Auction
24th March 2023
Pier 24 Photography is the home of the Pilara Family Foundation Collection, which today exceeds 4,000 works spanning the history of the medium. The collection is particularly rich in portraiture, American colour photography and the industrial landscape, holding important works by artists such as Richard Avedon, Dorothea Lange, Garry Winogrand, Lee Friedlander and Robert Frank. Located in San Francisco, Pier 24 Photography is one of the largest spaces in the world devoted to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting photography.
After fifteen successful years, Pier 24 has announced its decision to close in 2025 and the Pilara family are sending much of their enormous collection to auction. One of the most significant of the 20th Century, the collection is expected to sell for more than $15 million. The sale will be divided into two main auctions held on the 1st and 2nd of May at Sotheby’s, New York.
San Francisco based portfolio manager Andy Pilara and his wife, Mary, established the collection in 2003 with the purchase of their first photograph, having become fascinated by the medium following a visit to a retrospective of Diane Arbus’ work at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA). Proceeds from the May sales will go towards charitable initiatives, providing grants in healthcare research, arts and education. Find out more here.
