Main content

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鈥檚 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)

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Tue 11 Jun 2024 02:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 10 Jun 2024 11:06GMT
  • Mon 10 Jun 2024 17:06GMT
  • Mon 10 Jun 2024 21:06GMT
  • Tue 11 Jun 2024 02:06GMT

Contact Outlook

Contact Outlook

Info on how we might use your contribution on air

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else鈥檚 life and expect the unexpected