037: The Artistic Passion, Perspective, and Persistence of Jose Freire

The Impossible Network

00:00 / 01:22:18

Guest Overview

Jose Freire was born in Spain, raised in Newark, a rebel against his catholic education.

He was a Punk rock band tour manager. He built his stellar career, life, and reputation in the art world. This week’s guest is internationally renowned gallerists and owner of New York’s Team Gallery, Jose Freire.

In the raw and candid interview Jose discusses the impact of his abusive upbringing. He discusses his innate curiosity, the role of shame in developing his image and desire to escape.

How his experiences on the streets of 1970’s NYC helped him develop his identity, sense of taste, his aesthetic and style.

Jose recounts his experience as a Punk Band Tour Manager, becoming a DJ and how a serendipitous late-night encounter in a club called Berlin led him to begin a career in art and galleries.

From 30 min in, we explore the arc of his life as one of the world’s most renowned and respected feeder gallerists.

I hope you enjoy this raw and revealing exploration of the inspiring life journey of New York Gallerist Jose Freire.

What we discuss

His early memories
A fear of his violent and absent father
Supportive and caring mother
The lesson in shame and impact on self-image and taste
Corporal punishment and abusive school environment
Seeking safety in NYC
Meeting strangers
Developing his identity on the streets of NYC
The impact of drugs
A death impulse
Visiting cinemas and the home of men he met in the theaters
How it developed his sense of taste
Power of his passions
His punk period and tour managing
How he developed his empathy for artists
How serendipity opened the door to his entry into the art world
On drug use
Getting sober
Education in his 30’s
Balancing education and his gallery
Importance of passion
His London experience
Opening and building his own gallery
Moving to Soho
The market crash
Opening Team
Drive and competitive nature
Curiosity for the new
Joses enduring hunger
Peaking in 2014
Going forward
Shedding his past
Looking after himself
Being a feeder galley
Being an impresario
On art fairs
Power of small galleries
Living in the present
His quickfire answers
His impossible advice