Knuttel wins case against gallery owner

The operator of a Dublin art gallery has agreed to cease trading under the name of The Knuttel Gallery following a successful High Court action by the well-known artist Graham Knuttel. The case is the latest in a series of legal actions taken by Knuttel against those using his name.

Knuttel had taken the action against Mr Dermot O'Grady, who has a gallery at Upper Floor, St Stephen's Green Centre, Dublin. The gallery had traded as The Knuttel Gallery and more recently as K.

Knuttel told The Irish Times he objected to the use of the name Knuttel because he had built a reputation as an artist, not a gallery owner. He also believed the use of the name created the impression that he had a formal association with the gallery, which he did not.

The gallery sold works by his brother, Peter Knuttel, and his nephew, Jonathan Knuttel, which he believed might cause confusion. "A lot of people would simply know me was as Knuttel, rather than Graham Knuttel. I felt that people would be led into the gallery expecting to see my work. If they saw paintings in the shop by Peter Knuttel or Jonathan Knuttel, they might think they were mine."

Mr O'Grady said there were differences between the works. However, Graham Knuttel had insisted the family name be removed from the gallery name and he was "happy to oblige".

Mr O'Grady, who also owns the Green Gallery in the St Stephen's Green Centre, said he was still considering a new name for his gallery.

He added the gallery did not act as an agent for, or represent Knuttel in any way, but it would continue to display his works.

In the High Court, Mr Justice O'Higgins, was told the proceedings had been compromised on the basis that no order for costs be made.

In a statement read in court by Mr Brian Murray SC, for Mr O'Grady, it was stated that Mr O'Grady undertook not to, by himself or his servants or agents, use the name Knuttel in the title of his gallery, or the letter K as the title of his gallery, located at Upper Floor, St Stephen's Green Centre, or any other gallery owned or operated by him.