Prominent NYC Art Gallery Owner Murdered Amidst $6 Million Divorce

A 75-year-old co-owner of the renowned Sikkema, Jenkins & Co. art gallery in New York City, was found brutally murdered in his Rio de Janeiro apartment.

The alleged perpetrator, 30-year-old Cuban national Alejandro Triana Trevez, was apprehended by Rio state police near the city of Uberaba in Minas Gerais, Brazil, as per Daily Mail.

Sikkema's Art World Tragedy

(Photo : ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazilian authorities announced on Thursday that they have apprehended the individual believed to be responsible for the heinous murder of a well-known art dealer from Manhattan in Rio de Janeiro.

Sikkema, a respected figure in the art world, suffered 18 stab wounds to his chest and face, leading to his untimely demise. The motive behind the heinous act appears to be connected to a potential theft, as Triana allegedly made off with $3,000 from Sikkema's residence. Detective Felipe Curi, who heads the state police homicide unit, revealed that initial investigations suggest Triana specifically traveled from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro to commit the crime, raising suspicions of premeditation.

Law enforcement authorities have obtained a 30-day prison warrant against Triana, aiming to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the crime. The question of whether the victim and the alleged perpetrator were acquainted remains a crucial aspect of the ongoing investigation.

Sikkema, co-founder of the Sikkema Jenkins & Co. gallery, played a pivotal role in the contemporary art scene. Established in 1991 as Wooster Gardens and later relocating to the Chelsea arts district, the gallery showcased works by distinguished artists such as Jeffrey Gibson, Arturo Herrera, Sheila Hicks, Vik Muniz, and Kara Walker. The gallery confirmed Sikkema's passing in a solemn statement on its website, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of its founder.

The art dealer's journey in the art world began in 1971 at the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, New York, where he served as the director of exhibitions. In 1976, he opened his first gallery in Boston, marking the beginning of a long and influential career in the art industry, according to CBS News.

Art World Luminary Leaves Friends Stunned

A glimpse into Sikkema's personal life emerged through his social media presence. During a 2021 trip to Zurich, he described himself as a "chaos kind of guy" and expressed a fondness for Brazil and Cuba, particularly referring to his Rio de Janeiro apartment as an urban "oasis."

Friends and colleagues were left stunned by Sikkema's tragic demise. Yancey Richardson, a longtime friend and owner of a nearby art gallery, remembered Sikkema as someone with a unique perspective, noting, "Brent had a terrific eye and thought outside of the box. He wasn't just mounting one painting show after another."

The relationship between Sikkema and Triana is still under scrutiny, with Detective Alexandre Herdy, head of the city's police homicide unit, revealing that the two were together in Rio last summer. However, the nature of their association remains unclear.

The art community mourns the loss of a visionary figure who championed artists exploring identity, representation, and experimental forms. Alexander Gray, a New York gallerist, emphasized that Sikkema nurtured a generation of artists, leaving an indelible mark on the art world.

Sikkema's gallery, Sikkema Jenkins & Co., plans to announce a memorial to celebrate his life and contributions to the art community. Scott Briscoe, a spokesman for the gallery, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support during this challenging time, The New York Times reported.