My fraudulent friend: Smoke and mirrors in the art world
Orlando Whitfield found friendship through art. But it would also be its undoing. He reflects on the destruction caused by the art market’s millions and a friend lost to fraud.
Orlando Whitfield met Inigo Philbrick across a crowded lecture theatre at a London University in 2006. Inigo had confident opinions about art, connections to some of the big players in the London art scene, and a beguiling air of mystery. The two became friends and before long, Inigo suggested they go into business together dealing in the secondary art market. To Orlando it felt the start of something beautful and thrilling, but that friendship would prove to have a darker side. After university, Inigo started a rapid ascendency into the wealthy upper circles of the art world. He was living a life of luxury consumption while selling paintings for millions, but behind the scenes he was comitting fraud on a major scale.
Presenter: Asya Fouks
Producer: Anna Lacey
(Photo: Orlando Whitfield. Credit: Robin Christian)
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