Sonya Bekkerman

Sonya Bekkerman is an international art consultant, advisor, curator, entrepreneur, and innovator with over 20 years of broad global experience.

Most recently, Sonya served as Deputy Chairman of Business Development at Christie's London, where she identified growth opportunities in under-developed markets with a focus on business-transforming clients, developed special project sales outside of usual categories, and worked on innovation, exploring out-of-the-box projects and opportunities. She created and curated a selling exhibition to benefit the Ukraine Heritage Response Fund at the World Monument Fund.

Previously, Sonya served as Senior Vice President at Sotheby's auction house for 15 years. She spearheaded the creation of the Russian art market for Sotheby's New York in 2004, after four years as a senior specialist in the 19th Century European Art department. Sonya established a market worth over several hundred million dollars globally and has consulted and assisted in forming collections for ultra-high net worth individuals. She is recognized as one of the leading experts in the Russian art world and was among the youngest Senior Vice Presidents at the auction house. At Sotheby's, she expanded her role to include new categories and territories to match clients' growing global nature and collecting habits. Sonya focused on developing clients and business in Switzerland, Israel, Russia, CIS countries, the USA, and Asia.

Sonya has key international relationships with artists, global collectors, academics, gallery professionals, interior designers, architects, developers, museum curators, directors, and finance and business figures. Sonya specializes in developing new markets; she recognizes and maximizes opportunities. Sonya is a writer, public speaker, and interviewer whose expertise and knowledge span art historical categories and cultural spheres.