We know you are a global art collector always on the look out for the most interesting and innovative art. But how do you know where to go and when? Here is a curated list of the most important international art fairs taking place in the first half of 2014, along with a brief description of the overall focus, and a sample listing of participating galleries. Some of them you’ve seen profiled on our site and some are altogether new.
They are all quite different, ranging from museum quality works of art to lesser known galleries bringing emerging artists to the new collectors. The present list covers art fairs that are scheduled to take place from March until June 2014, which should make it easy to reference and take with you when you visit the fair.
We start with….
March 2014
The Armory Show (New York)
March 6 — 9, 2014
FOCUS: Modern and Contemporary art from around the globe.
This is the main art fair in the New York art calendar. The fair has been around for 15 years, most recently settling on the West Side Piers of Manhattan. In the recent years the organizers have seen a significant turn-over in the participating galleries, many of whom moved to the younger platforms such as VOLTANY and Frieze NY, held in May. Nonethless, it’s a major platform for exploring contemporary art from some of the most successful commercial art galleries around the world. The event is HUGE and it’s practically impossible to cover both piers in one day and remain sane. Wear comfortable shoes and have a strategy. The Armory Show 2014.
Participating galleries include:
Marianne Boesky Gallery, Leila Heller Gallery, Sean Kelly Gallery, Lisson Gallery, Victoria Miro, Jack Shainman Gallery, Bruce Silverstein, David Zwirner, Pace Prints, Hollis Taggart Galleries.
Read our recommendations on navigating the art fairs.
Scope (New York)
March 6 — 9, 2014
FOCUS: New contemporary art and multidisciplinary programming
Much like the fare on exhibit in Miami most of the art tends to be brash, “in-your-face” glittery and bold. There are exceptions of course, and some of the galleries bring strong, complex works, but you’ll have to do quite a bit of sorting through before finding that one gem. If you have the time – it’s worth the effort. Scope 2014
Participating galleries include:
Pashmin Art, Fuchs Projects, Galerie Marc Hachem, 11.12 Gallery
ADAA: The Art Show (New York)
March 5 — 9, 2014
FOCUS: Contemporary art, important works from 19th — 20th century
The fair this year will feature solo, two-person, and thematic exhibitions by 72 of the nation’s leading art dealers. This is the who-is-who of the Upper East Side galleries, fashionable galleries with bold contemporary art and top secondary market dealers who tend to bring museum-quality works.
Participating galleries include:
Acquavella Gallery, Cheim and Read, Blum & Po, Galerie St. Etienne, Laurence Miller Gallery, Pace Prints, David Zwirner
VOLTANY (New York)
March 6 — 9, 2014
FOCUS: Contemporary art
Participating galleries include:
Jonathan LeVine Gallery, Ryan Lee Gallery, Halsey McKay Gallery, Lyons Wier Gallery, New Art Projects, Mike Weiss Gallery, Gallery Kogure
Last year we were in awe of the fair’s selection of galleries. We even exclaimed that it was the best art fair of the New York Armory Week. This concept of an invitational show with solo exhibitions allows the gallery to focus on one artist and gives the visitors a chance to see more of the artist’s work and explore more of what she/he wanted to say in the given series of works. A simple concept, and one that works very well under the director of its creative director and tour-de-force Amanda Coulson.
TEFAF Maastricht (Maastricht, Netherlands)
March 14 — 23, 2014
FOCUS: Old Masters, antiques, classical modern and contemporary art, jewelry, 20th century design, works on paper
Regarded as one of the world’s leading international art fairs with a groundbreaking vetting system, TEFAF showcases the best works of art that are currently on the market. In addition to traditional Old Master paintings and antique works of art, you can see and buy a wide variety of Classical Modern and Contemporary Art as well as Jewelry, 20th Century Design and Works on Paper.
Participating galleries include:
Pelham Galleries, Hamiltons Gallery, Gallery Delaive, Montgomery Gallery, David Koetser Gallery
Art Dubai (Dubai, UAE)
March 19 — 22, 2014
FOCUS: Contemporary art
Leading international art fair in the Middle East/North Africa/South Asia, it has become the center of the region’s booming contemporary art community. The fair emphasizes maintaining an intimate and human scale in the show’s setup. Art Dubai 2014
Participating galleries include:
Leila Heller Gallery, Victoria Miro, London, Grosvenor Gallery, Aicon Gallery, Pechersky Gallery
April 2014
AIPAD Photography Show (New York)
April 10-13, 2014
FOCUS: Classic and contemporary photography
Traditionally held at the Park Avenue Armory on 67th street in New York this art fair is easy to navigate and very manageable. A key characteristic of many new fairs. Some of the learning photography dealers in International leading photography art galleries present a wide range of museum-quality work here including contemporary, video and new media. AIPAD 2014
Participating galleries include:
Peter Fetterman Gallery, Edwynn Houk Gallery, M+B Gallery, Laurence Miller Gallery, Bruce Silverstein Gallery, David Zwirner
Affordable Art Fair (New York)
April 2-6, 2014
FOCUS: Affordable contemporary art by emerging artists
Creating a friendly atmosphere, this fair houses thousands of artworks ranging from $100 — $10,000 with more than half priced under $5,000. Works of young emerging artists are hung alongside some of the biggest household names.
May 2014
Frieze Art Fair (New York)
May 9-12, 2014
FOCUS: Contemporary art
With an innovative serpentine design overlooking the East River and natural light, this year, the fair bring the most exciting contemporary galleries from across the globe. Frieze New York 2014
Participating galleries include:
Sean Kelly Gallery, Lisson Gallery, Victoria Miro, Jack Shainman Gallery, Sikkema Jenkins & Co., David Zwirner
Art Basel (Hong Kong)
May 15 — 18, 2014
FOCUS: Old Masters and Contemporary art
The fair has been recently purchased by the Art Basel consortium thus bringing the successful brand to the Asian markets. Astute business decision and one that brings world’s top galleries to their most active clients. Art Basel Hong Kong 2014
Participating galleries include:
Beijing Art Now Gallery, Chemould Prescott Road, Marian Goodman Gallery, Victoria Miro, Pace Prints, Sikkema Jenkins & Co.
ArtMRKT (San Francisco)
May 15–18, 2014
FOCUS: Modern and Contemporary art
Participating galleries include:
Seager Gray Gallery, Nancy Hoffman Gallery, Forum Gallery, Shin Gallery, K. Imperial Fine Art, ArtHaus
The Bay Area’s premier contemporary and modern art fair brings together some of the worlds most intriguing artists and galleries to San Francisco. Historically important work will be showcased alongside relevant contemporary pieces. ArtMARKT 2014
ArteBA (Buenos Aires)
May 23 — 26, 2014
FOCUS: Contemporary art from Latin America
The art fair has been around for some time and 2014 marks it 23rd edition. A famous contemporary art fair in Argentina, it will feature works by established and emerging Latin American artists and will also showcase works from international collections. ArteBA 2014
Participating galleries include:
Big Sur, Abate Galeria, Y Gallery New York, Vasari, Rolf Art, Nora Fisch
June 2014
Art Basel (Basel, Switzerland)
June 19-22, 2014
FOCUS: Modern and Contemporary art
This fair has become the most prestigious presentation of art for international collectors looking to invest in the finest art. They exhibit top quality Modern and Contemporary Art since the 1970’s. Art Basel 2014
Participating galleries include:
Gagosian Gallery, Lisson Gallery, Blum & Poe, Bortolami Gallery, Thomas Dane Gallery, Sean Kelly Gallery, David Zwirner, Gladstone Gallery
Volta 10 Basel (Basel, Switzerland)
June 16 — 21, 2014
FOCUS: Select works from Contemporary Art galleries.
Presenting contemporary art from galleries of global prestige, a dynamic collection of emerging and innovative contemporary art from 30 different nations will be shown. The galleries are selected by a Curatorial Board, which changes annually. VOLTA was co-founded by three dealers, Kavi Gupta, Friedrich Loock and Uli Voges, and art critic Amanda Coulson in 2005. VOLTA 10 2014
Next we will have a list of international art fairs from July — December 2014.
