Few museum curators have had as big an impact on a city’s cultural life as William A. Fagaly. The internationally renowned scholar, who died last year aged 83, built up important museum collections of Outsider, African and contemporary art during his 50 years at the New Orleans Museum of Art. He also made a substantial contribution to the understanding of southern Outsider art. Fagaly — universally known as Bill — was known for seeking out and championing self-taught African American artists from the surrounding region, including David Butler and Sister Gertrude Morgan, bringing them to national and international attention. The New Orleans curator pioneered mainstream acceptance of work by self-taught artists.
The Collection of William A. Fagaly sold to benefit Prospect New Orleans | Christie's NYC | 3 February 2022
