NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

OK Harris ushered in SoHo's reputation as an art gallery district in 1969. The gallery was founded by Ivan C. Karp, who had served co-director of Leo Castelli Gallery from 1959-1969 during which time he helped launch the careers of pop artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Oldenburg, Tom Wesselmann and John Chamberlain.

In addition to being at the forefront of the Photo Realist movement in 1969, OK Harris was among the first galleries to exhibit the work of Duane Hanson, Deborah Butterfield, Manny Farber, Richard Pettibone, Robert Cottingham, Robert Bechtle, Marilyn Levine, Nancy Rubins, Malcolm Morley, Luis Jiminez, Jake Berthot, Jack Goldstein, Porfirio DiDonna, Al Souza and Arman.

OK Harris exhibits contemporary art and photography, and on occasion mounts shows of antiques and collectibles. In it’s large space, it is able to mount five, one-person shows at a time and has seven such exhibitions in the course of a year. The gallery maintains a complete photographic archive on its exhibitions from the time of its inception, available to students and scholars for research, without reservation.

The gallery's main concern is to show the most significant artwork of our time. In the choice of works to be exhibited there is no prejudice as to the style or materials employed. The sole criteria is innovation of concept and maturity of technique.

• Directions: Subway: 6 to Spring Street; N, R to Prince Street