EXCLUSIVE: How Kenny Goss, the love of George Michael's life, has quietly found a new partner and dedicated himself to the foundation he and the singer set up for young artists

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He was the love of George Michael's life - a discreet presence at his side for 13 years who very publicly mourned the singer's death.

But Kenny Goss, it can be revealed, has quietly gone about his own life since his split from Michael was announced in 2011 - and now has found new love of his own.

Goss recently moved from his home in Dallas, Texas, where he runs an art gallery, to live in California.

Friends tell DailyMail.com that he has also found a new partner, and that suggestions of his relationship with Michael being rekindled are far from the mark.

However, they spoke of a man whose relationship with Michael now defines his life, as it has led to his most important work: a foundation in both men's names for young and struggling artists.

Couple: Kenny Goss and George Michael were partners for 13 years, with the singer announcing their split in 2011, and speaking of how both had struggled with addiction

Art lovers: Michael and Goss set up their foundation because of their shared appreciation of British Contemporary Art but its real purpose is its less-heralded support for young artists

Home for artists: The Goss-Michael Foundation recently downsized to this venue in Dallas's Design District, with Goss saying at the time that reducing overheads would help the body do more work - in line with the revelations about Michael's generosity which emerged after his death

Contemporary space: The Goss-Michael Foundation gallery is currently showcasing three young artist's work. One said the foundation had inspired him as a high school student

Tributes: People in Dallas left discreet floral arrangements to mark Michael's passing

Poignant: The Goss-Michael Foundation issued its own tribute to Michael from Goss, and that was followed by a few floral memorials at the foundation's headquarters

Goss's influence on Michael was well known.

In the wake of the 53-year-old singer's sudden death on Christmas Day, he issued a moving statement, mourning his former lover.

'I'm heartbroken with the news that my dear friend and longtime love George Michael has passed,' he wrote.

'He was a major part of my life and I loved him very, very much. He was an extremely kind and generous man. 

'The beautiful memories and music he brought to the world will always be an important part of my life and those who also loved and admired him.'

Friends told DailyMail.com that Goss was already on his way to England to ensure he would be present for Michael's funeral.

That is hardly a surprise; Goss's public acknowledgment of Michael in death was clearly heartfelt, and the loss is likely to prove difficult.

When Michael announced his split from Goss on stage in 2011, he disclosed that the Texan had fought a battle with addiction hmself.

'I love him very much. This man has brought me a lot of joy and pain,' he said.

'My love life has been a lot more turbulent than I've ever let on, and I'm so sad about my relationship with Kenny. I'm sorry for any pain. 

'My battles with substances are well documented. My partner has been through his own battle.'

Goss never comment publicly on that battle, but it is likely to be in the minds of friends and family as he deals with the loss of Michael.

What is clear, however, is that his and Michael's lives are intertwined, mostly through the 58-year-old's ongoing work, the Foundation in both men's names.

Goss put behind him the sadness of his break-up with Michael to concentrate on building the Goss-Michael Foundation they set-up when their love was flourishing.

The two men kept in constant touch about the foundation and negotiated its move from gallery to gallery without acrimony.

It holds what is thought to be the largest collection of British contemporary art in the United States, with works from artists including Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst.

They include Saint Sebastian, Exquisite Pain, a cow in formaldehyde pierced with arrows by Hirst, and George Loves Kenny, a neon light installation by Emin which is now the new cover photo of the foundation's Facebook page.

However, those close to the Foundation say that its true purpose is in line with extraordinary private generosity of Michael which was revealed after its death.

Until earlier this year, it ran a large warehouse space devoted to its British contemporary art collection.

Contemporary collection: The works held by the Foundation include a neon light installation by the British artist Tracey Emin from the time when Kenny Goss and George Michael were together

Collection highlight: Damien Hirst's Saint Sebastian, Exquisite Agony, 2007, is one of the most prominent parts of the Goss-Michael Foundation's holdings of British contemporary art

Family affair: Kenny Goss runs the Foundation with the help of his sister-in-law Joyce and brother Tim, a Dallas attorney

Social scene: Kenny Goss is a frequent presence at openings and other functions in America and London, including the Eye Ball presented by The Joule as part of the Dallas Art Fair, where he and his sister-in-law posed with local art collectors

Contemporary art: Kenny Goss has dedicated himself to working in the world of contemporary art 

Charity link-up: The Goss-Michael Foundation jointly organizes the annual MTV RE:DEFINE, an art auction and gala in Dallas has raised $7 million to date and provides funding to the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, an HIV prevention campaign, and Dallas Contemporary, which funds art for young people in the city

But the Foundation's real aim is to encourage and nurture fresh talent from Texas and the US.

That was underlined by its move from a larger space to a smaller one this year, which prompted Goss to tell Dallas Culture Map, a local art website, that it was intended to help its mission.

'As a nonprofit, we can spend less and give a lot more back,' he said.

'We can be just as cool, but now we’re the size of a good-size gallery, not a mini-museum.'

Three largely unknown artists have their work on show at the gallery which Goss runs with brother Tim and sister-in-law Joyce.

The former lovers had also placed their money in an educational fund for college students to hone their skills.

One source said: 'It is a thriving gallery and foundation. It is not about profit, but all about art.'

Home: Goss lived in this Dallas, Texas, home until earlier this year. He has moved to California but returns frequently to help oversee the Foundation in his and George Michael's names

A friend of Goss's said: 'He and George were ultimate philanthropists. They put their hearts into helping artists and Kenny continued with the work despite breaking up with his boyfriend.'

A friend of Goss's added: 'He and George were ultimate philanthropists. They put their hearts into helping artists and Kenny continued with the work despite breaking up with his boyfriend.'

The Goss-Michael Foundation runs its own gallery, which is in the 'Design District' of Dallas.

The 6,000 square feet exhibition space has received floral tributes in the wake of the singer's death - but its true purpose is to showcase new talent.

Aided: Artist Paul Winker praised the Goss-Michael Foundation for inspiring him as a school student then putting his work on show 

Among those who have been helped by the Foundation - which is run by Goss, his Dallas lawyer brother Tim and Tim's wife Joyce - is Paul Winker.

He is one of the three artists currently on show at the Goss-Michael Foundation's space, the other too being Janaro Goode and Keer Tanchak.

Winker told DailyMail.com: 'The Goss Michael Foundation has had nothing but a positive impact on my life as an artist.

'I'll never forget being taken on a high school field trip to the Foundation almost ten years ago and getting to experience a gallery full of Damien Hirst's work.'

The Foundation declined to comment directly on the death of one of its founders.

Goss himself is a frequent presence at gallery openings around America and in London. 

He moved to California full-time earlier this year, but returns frequently to his native city, and has let out the sprawling home in the city's tony Belfort Place where he lived.

A neighbor said the move had coincided with new love for Goss and added: 'He has a new partner.'

Claims that he and Michael were to reconcile were dismissed by one person who knows Goss.

One friend said: 'It is not true that they had recently got back together. Both were extremely private men, that's why they never denied or confirmed anything.'