As spending in the art world has surged over the last two decades, so too has litigation, prompting Time to spotlight the professionals navigating this increasingly complex landscape. The publication’s 2026 Art 100 list features a diverse array of influencers, including legal heavyweight Luke Nikas, whose career has been defined by high-stakes disputes.
Nikas, a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, recently secured a $102.2 million jury verdict in April on behalf of Robert Indiana’s former business partner. The ruling concluded an eight-year battle over control of the late sculptor’s legacy. Nikas has also been central to other major cases, including the Knoedler Gallery scandal involving $70 million in fake Modernist paintings and wrongful-termination suits.
Portraiture takes center stage with Amy Sherald, the painter best known for creating Michelle Obama’s official White House portrait. Friends recognized the shift in her career trajectory before she even met the Obamas; one friend insisted Sherald purchase a specific taupe dress and kitten heels for the historic sitting. Her work is currently the focal point of “American Sublime,” a major touring exhibition.
French street artist JR continues to push the boundaries of public art with his foundation, which operates under the mantra “Can Art Change the World?” This summer, he transformed Paris’s Pont Neuf with a massive fabric installation that rendered the bridge to look like a craggy mountain. JR’s portfolio also includes politically charged murals and prison arts programs that have reached approximately 4,000 facilities globally. Most recently, Pope Leo XIV unveiled JR’s colossal wave installation inside the Vatican’s Apostolic Library on September 14 as a commentary on climate and conflict.
In the commercial sector, Bonnie Brennan, who became Christie’s CEO in 2025, is steering the 260-year-old auction house through a market recovery. The firm reported a 71% sales increase in the first half of 2026 and recently sold a record $1.45 billion in estate works. Brennan has also prioritized artists such as Joan Mitchell and Alice Neel, expressing optimism that younger generations’ ethical shopping habits will bolster the secondary market.
Taryn Simon rounds out the list for her investigative approach to photography and sculpture. Simon, 51, recently announced her largest solo show to date at New York’s Guggenheim Museum, featuring work centered on an unidentified federal agent. She is also preparing to unveil a large-scale public project in Times Square next spring, continuing her exploration of the invisible structures of power.
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