Christie’s names Sonya Roth as new chief for Southern California

The auction house Christie’s is expected to announce Wednesday that Los Angeles native Sonya Roth has been named its managing director for Southern California -- a role that will require her to spearhead the company’s growth strategy in the region.

Roth, who is a lawyer by training and worked as a California deputy attorney general, joined Christie’s on Sept. 1, the company said. She will report into Brook Hazelton, Christie’s president for the Americas.

Roth is a co-founder of the recently created Director’s Council at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. The council is intended to encourage patronage among young art lovers and to help the museum with acquisitions. She also has been active with the nonprofit contemporary art space LAXART.

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She is married to Josh Roth, who recently launched the fine art division at United Talent Agency, where he manages and advises visual artists in various aspects of their careers. The Hancock Park couple has been highly visible on the L.A. art scene, attending major museum events and other art functions.

Josh Roth is the son of Steven F. Roth, scion of the World Oil Corp. family fortune and a co-founder of Creative Artists Agency. The elder Roth sits on the boards of the L.A. County Museum of Art and MOCA.

Andrea Fiuczynski stepped down as president of Christie’s, Los Angeles in 2014 to head the West Coast division of rival Sotheby’s. In recent years, Sotheby’s has been ramping up its presence in the region.

Last year, Sotheby’s hired Scott Schaefer, a retired senior paintings curator at the J. Paul Getty Museum, to the post of senior vice president of international fine arts, based in Los Angeles.

Christie’s said that as part of her new job, Roth will lead a regular program of client-focused Christie’s events in the area that will bring together key people from the private, commercial and institutional spheres.

“Many in the community know Sonya already as a great convener of individuals who are passionate about great art and collecting,” Hazelton said in a statement. “She brings a wealth of experience and creative leadership to a vibrant region that is ripe with exciting and engaging opportunities.”

Christie’s L.A. offices are located in Century City.

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT