Fair Deal

New York gets spoiled during these two weeks in May, where blockbuster museum exhibitions and gallery shows are complemented by the world’s best fairs coming to town. With so many treasures on offer, no wonder it’s split over two different weeks. And thankfully, the fairs are located in Manhattan, adding an element of ease to navigating the journey. We’ve selected a few highlights we’re excited to scope whilst strolling the aisles! 

FRIEZE NY

The Shed

You know the drill: Frieze has been operating in New York for over a decade (this edition toes it over the line), and has comfortably settled into a smaller, edited version of some 60 galleries setting up across The Shed in Hudson Yards. Expect work from artists with current institutional shows like Lauren Halsey at David Kordansky and Ilana Savdie at White Cube, whose Whitney survey opens July 14. Frieze’s projects continue to enchant: on the 8th floor find Ektor Garcia’s installation La Llorona (that comes with a side of its sponsor: Maestro Dobel Tequila)

Frieze New York 2022 at The Shed. Photo by Casey Kelbaugh. Courtesy Frieze and Casey Kelbaugh.

INDEPENDENT 

Spring Studios, 6 St. Johns Lane

The fair that changed what a fair could be: Independent, returns to its Spring Studios home where its boothless set-up is a winding track of undiscovered & overlooked artists, along side those who stand the test of time. This edition beckons a smart crowd and promises to be distinct with an emphasis of Indigenous artists from Wendy Redstar at Sargent’s Daughters to Rande Cooke at Fazakas Gallery, as well as intergenerational dialogues such as with P.P.O.W. with Jessica Stoller and Grace Carney, and Franklin Parrasch with Keith Sonnier and Tala Worell. As its name suggests, Independent always stands out.

Independent NewYork, 2015, Photography by Etienne Frossard, Courtesy The Modern Institute

NEW DEALERS ART ASSOCIATION (NADA)

548 West 22nd Street

NADA seems to roam across the city, this year landing in the old Dia:Chelsea building. Perfectly positioned if you ask us! Collectors often whisper about an incredible find or humble brag about their in-demand snag from NADA. The fair, as well as the New Art Dealers, has an enduring air. Some of the names we’re curious to see from the 88 galleries participating? Claudia Keep at Reyes|Finn, Guillaume Pinard at Galerie Anne Barrault and Matt Belk at The Hole.

Courtesy of the artist and Reyes|Finn

THE EUROPEAN FINE ART FAIR (TEFAF)

Park Avenue Armory (643 Park Avenue)

There’s never a shortage of treasures found at TEFAF, which when it arrives in New York, always flashes a bit more flair than its ever-elegant Maastricht flagship. Staged in the Beaux-Arts bravado of the Park Avenue Armory, TEFAF touts a fine selection (as its name suggests) of European and American galleries purveying the most curious finds. We’re eager to scout Jean Dunand’s screen at Vallois, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerb at Galerie Kreo, and the infamous The Mountain Bar by Jorge Pardo - the actual bar from the artist community drinking hole he created in Chinatown, Los Angeles with Petzel gallery owner Steve Hanson.  An incredible artifact of contemporary art history up close and personal. The other best part of TEFAF? The flowers! Oh, and of course, the Vernissage oysters and champagne. 

Courtesy of the Jorge Pardo and Petzel, New York