Above, Daniel Cooney and Patrick Key
A Focus on Art and Artists
Growing up in Binghamton, NY, he earned his MFA in photography and initially focused on being an artist. “I fully intended to be an artist,” he told me. “But as a young artist, I started working in galleries and really liked dealing with clients.” One thing led to another, and soon, he was running his own space out of an apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, before moving to a space in the mecca of NYC’s gallery scene, Chelsea.
These days, Cooney splits his time between curating shows and running an online auction business specializing in estate sales – a skill he studied at Sotheby’s.com back in 2002, before eBay was even a big deal. He and his partner Patrick Key had visited Santa Fe friends several times before making the leap, and with Patrick able to continue his work with Aspen Leadership Group, the stars aligned.
A Difference in The City Different
In a dense art scene like Santa Fe, what sets Cooney’s gallery apart is his focus on artists who push boundaries and explore subcultures. “I do show a lot of LGBT artists, but it’s not exclusive,” he explains. “I’m interested in artists who died of AIDS or weren’t given an opportunity because they were gay. I don’t mind showing work that’s a little provocative.”
And speaking of provocative, Cooney’s upcoming show features the work of photographer Chris Makos. It’s a perfect example of the energy he’s bringing to Santa Fe. Makos, known for his intimate portraits of queer icons and pop stars, isn’t just any photographer – he’s a chronicler of New York’s most electric era who has been widely credited for helping introduce his friend Andy Warhol to the works of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
And since Makos’ work is in the permanent collections of more than 100 museums and major private collections, including those of Malcolm Forbes, Pedro Almodóvar, and Gianni Versace, don’t expect Cooney’s fledgling gallery on Lena to remain under the radar for long.
A Party You Won’t Want to Miss
Cooney’s upcoming show, titled “Party,” promises some of Makos revealing self-portraits, including the artist’s favorite: “Self Portrait with Dog and Boots,” featuring a young Makos with his dog Snake (appropriate as 2025 is the Year of the Snake).
Makos himself speaks highly of Cooney’s hands-on approach to curating. “He’s so unique and special,” Makos says. “Just before the pandemic, Daniel reached out to me and said, ‘Would you like to do a show with me?’ He curated the show, which you don’t see much anymore. I was really impressed with how he did that – I didn’t always agree with the pictures he chose, but he’s a great guy to work with.”
The show opens Saturday, April 5th, from 3-5 PM. And if you haven’t yet been to the gallery in Lena Street Lofts, it will be the perfect introduction to what Cooney’s bringing to Santa Fe. It’s a bit of NYC edge wrapped in Santa Fe warmth. Makos is even planning a mini road trip through New Mexico before the opening, though he jokes that he’s hoping “Daniel will organize lunches with potential collectors.”
For Cooney, this new chapter isn’t about recreating New York in the high desert – it’s about bringing the best of both worlds together. And if you ask me, Lena Street just got a lot more interesting.
