Tristian Koenig

In November 2020 I purchased but never received a work of art offered by gallerist Tristian Koenig. After 7 months of repeated assurances that the artwork was being prepared for delivery Koenig ceased responding to my messages. In this time, I contacted the artist. They revealed that they had received no money from the sale of the art and Koenig had ceased responding to the artist’s requests for information in March 2021. Multiple buyers had reached out to the artist and when I contacted them their experience reflected mine. All subsequent attempts to contact Koenig through social media, multiple emails, text messages and phone calls were met with silence. During this time, he responded to the messages of others I knew. In August, I sent a formal letter of Breach of Australian Consumer Law requesting a refund, but I received no response. In October, Koenig was served a Breach of Contract. In November, an order against Koenig for full costs was recorded in the Victorian Magistrates Court. Koenig was notified but did not action the court order. In December, a Warrant to Seize Property was issued but this has yet to be actioned. This has happened during a period of extraordinary vulnerability following the violent death of my brother. I purchased the artwork as a poignant last gift from him to my family. I believe my grief has been exploited and have made a report of fraud to the Victorian Police. Despite the extraordinary emotional distress of the last 14 months and personal financial cost, Koenig has avoided every opportunity to resolve the matter. Recent published articles have also expressed the extent of his malfeasance. “Rogue Gallery: Tristian Koenig and the case of the missing artworks” “Top global dealer among victims of art rogue” “Twiggy Forrest steps in to help artist fleeced by gallery owner” “The greatest heist just happened in Melbourne” “Paintings found, warrants issued in case of missing art”

Amazing Melbourne inspired art

Isn't this clown on the papers today for fraud?