The Conservative Party’s 1979 general election victory relied on the Labour Isn’t Working campaign, a project masterminded by Charles Saatchi. Born in Baghdad in 1943, he migrated to London as a child. He subsequently built the world’s largest advertising agency before transitioning into a central figure of the international contemporary art market through his influential gallery.
Advertising Foundations
After attending Christ's College in Finchley and studying at the London College of Communication, Saatchi began his career as a copywriter at Benton & Bowles in 1965. By 1967, he had co-founded the creative consultancy Cramer Saatchi with art director Ross Cramer, employing figures like John Hegarty and Jeremy Sinclair. This venture laid the groundwork for his future business approach.
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In 1970, he founded Saatchi & Saatchi alongside his brother Maurice. The agency grew rapidly, becoming the largest in the world by 1986 following the acquisition of Ted Bates. The brothers departed in 1995 to establish a rival firm, M&C Saatchi, retaining many staff members and major clients, including British Airways.
Art Collecting and Patronage
Saatchi began collecting in 1969 with a purchase by Sol LeWitt. He opened the Saatchi Gallery in St John’s Wood in 1985 to house works by artists including Donald Judd and Anselm Kiefer. He later shifted his focus to the Young British Artists, purchasing Damien Hirst's A Thousand Years in 1990. His 1997 Sensation exhibition at the Royal Academy solidified the market position of artists like Tracey Emin and Marc Quinn.
Philanthropy and Public Presence
In 2010, Saatchi announced the donation of his gallery and more than 200 works to the public. Beyond his commercial work, he established the Saatchi Shul in Maida Vale in 1998, a synagogue dedicated to his parents. He has also authored numerous books on subjects ranging from art and advertising to mortality, and appeared in the 2009 BBC television series School of Saatchi.
Fast facts
- Born: 1943, Baghdad
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Primary Occupations: Entrepreneur, art collector, gallerist
- First Agency: Cramer Saatchi (1967)
- Famous Campaign: Labour Isn't Working (1979)
- Gallery Opening: 1985, 98A Boundary Road
- Book Published: My Name Is Charles Saatchi And I Am An Artoholic (2012)
Questions readers ask
What is the Saatchi Gallery?
A public exhibition space opened by Charles Saatchi in 1985, known for showcasing major contemporary art collections including the Young British Artists.
Did Charles Saatchi leave Saatchi & Saatchi?
Yes. He and his brother Maurice left the firm in 1995 to form a new agency, M&C Saatchi.
Achievements
- Educated at London School of Economics and Political Science
- Worked as entrepreneur, art dealer and art collector
