Ami Sheppe (Yang)
New York
Summary
Artist & Estate Stewardship Leader with 6+ years of progressively senior gallery leadership experience, specializing in legacy management, institutional partnerships, and archival strategy. As primary liaison for the Pacita Abad Estate, spearheaded a multi-year legacy plan that secured 10 major U.S. museum acquisitions (Whitney, MoMA, the Met, SFMOMA, etc.), inclusion in the 2024 Venice Biennale, and a four-venue North American retrospective. Directed programs and legacy planning for Ghada Amer, Davide Balliano, and the Minoru Niizuma Estate. Raised between Beijing, Tokyo, and Los Angeles; fluent in English and Mandarin, with professional working fluency in French and conversational Japanese. Recognized for building long-term partnerships that advance artists’ careers, legacies, and agency.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Director
Tina Kim Gallery
New York
06.2024 - Current
- Directed legacy management for Pacita Abad Estate, Ghada Amer, Davide Balliano, Minoru Niizuma Estate, and Suki Seokyeong Kang.
- Completed a ten-acquisition campaign for Pacita Abad (MoMA, Whitney, Met, SFMOMA, Carnegie, DMA, Cantor) and secured her inclusion in the 2024 Venice Biennale.
- Represented the Pacita Abad Estate in a four-venue North American retrospective, liaising with museums, curators, and catalogue teams to ensure scholarly rigor and long-term institutional positioning.
- Oversaw archival development, conservation strategy, and placement planning for multiple estates.
- Onboarded new artists/estates (Mine Okubo Estate, Chen Ching-Yuan), shaping multiyear representation and legacy strategies.
- Managed production and budgets for Ghada Amer and Davide Balliano, collaborating with international galleries to deliver major exhibitions and public programs.
- Mentored staff and directed cross-departmental teams to deliver high-quality projects, exhibitions, and institutional partnerships.
- Built long-term, trust-based relationships with artists, families, and institutions, ensuring continuity, advocacy, and care.
Associate Director
Tina Kim Gallery
New York
05.2022 - 06.2024
- Served as primary liaison for the Pacita Abad Estate, achieving foundational milestones that secured international recognition.
- Secured 7+ U.S. museum acquisitions (MoMA, Met, Smithsonian, Carnegie, SFMOMA, DMA, Cantor).
- Coordinated comprehensive support for the four-venue North American retrospective, including conservation, shipping, collector outreach, VIP engagement, program coordination, and catalogue production.
- Directed international art fair presentations (Frieze, Basel, TEFAF), leading selection, booth design, logistics, and client cultivation.
- Organized solo exhibitions for Pacita Abad, Davide Balliano, Minoru Niizuma, and Suki Seokyeong Kang.
- Led VIP programs including collector dinners, museum walkthroughs, and international client events.
- Expanded responsibilities across exhibitions, placements, and estate stewardship, leading to promotion to Director.
Gallery Associate
Tina Kim Gallery
New York
10.2021 - 05.2022
- Supported curatorial, sales, and programmatic operations; liaised with press and institutions.
- Gained foundational experience in shipping, conservation, and archival logistics.
Press & Digital Media Associate
Alexander Gray Associates
New York
04.2021 - 09.2021
- Directed press and digital communications strategy, securing prominent editorial coverage.
- Managed online presence and cultivated institutional relationships to enhance artist visibility.
Gallery Assistant
Ceysson & Bénétière
New York
09.2020 - 04.2021
- Supported exhibition production, press, and audience engagement.
- Coordinated installation logistics and digital communications.
Education
Master of Arts - Art History
Hunter College, City University of New York
New York, NY06.2026
Bachelor of Arts - Linguistics & Philosophy
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, CA06-2013
Skills
- Artist and estate management
- Legacy stewardship and archival development
- Institutional partnerships
- Program design and public engagement
- High-level event planning
- Artist engagement and community programs
- Cross-cultural fluency: English, Mandarin, French (professional), Japanese (conversational)
Languages
- English, native
- Mandarin, native
- French, professional working
- Japanese, conversational
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director
Tina Kim Gallery
06.2024 - Current
Associate Director
Tina Kim Gallery
05.2022 - 06.2024
Gallery Associate
Tina Kim Gallery
10.2021 - 05.2022
Press & Digital Media Associate
Alexander Gray Associates
04.2021 - 09.2021
Gallery Assistant
Ceysson & Bénétière
09.2020 - 04.2021
Master of Arts - Art History
Hunter College, City University of New York
Bachelor of Arts - Linguistics & Philosophy
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)