Last updated on September 9th, 2024 at 03:39 pm
The Armoury Show’s 29th edition, the third instalment held in the Javits Centre, concluded on September 10. More than 51,000 people worldwide came to the international art fair that kicks off the fall arts season this year. Visitors included collectors, curators, artists, and more. The Javits Centre was converted into a bustling hub of artistic expression, with over 225 galleries participating from over 35 countries, thanks to the successful sales and ambitious displays at this year’s edition. The fair was open to the public from September 8-10, with the VIP Preview on September 7. Installations and activities were held all around New York City due to the fair, not just at the venue.
“The electrifying energy at this year’s edition was felt throughout the fair,” stated Nicole Berry, executive director of The Armoury Show. Exhibitors and collectors from all over the world were overjoyed by the fair’s high foot traffic, exceptional artwork, successful sales, and ability to spark meaningful debates. The Armoury Show is an annual event that brings together art enthusiasts from all walks of life to celebrate the city of New York and the autumn art season.
Sections curated by Candice Hopkins, Director and Chief Curator of Forge Project, and Eva Respini, Deputy Director and Director of Curatorial Programmes at the Vancouver Art Gallery, were among the highlights of the 2023 fair. The fair’s central Agora was filled with large-scale pieces by Respini’s Platform artists, while Hopkins’ Focus showcased the work of both individual and collaborative artists. Artists, both new and known, whose work is informed by patterns of inclusion and exclusion, came together to reexamine historical narratives.
Artists Space, the recipient of the 2023 Armoury Spotlight, also featured a series of live portrait painting performances by artist Drake Carr as a highlight of the fair. Carr painted several original portraits of fairgoers, including Mel Ottenberg and Tonne Goodman, over the course of the event.
Armoury Off-Site expanded beyond the Javits Centre, placing monumental sculptures in public parks and plazas such as Bella Azbug Park, Collect Pond Park, and Times Square.
Alongside the fair, sculptures were on display at the Armoury Off-Site at the US Open for the second year in a row this year, thanks to a collaboration with the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
DISSENTING PARTICIPANTS
Venus Williams, Beck, Chris Rock, Anderson Cooper, Paul Rudd, Diedrich Bader, Paul Dano, David Cross, Reilly Opelka, Zoe Kazan, Rami Malek, Emma Corrin, Hugh Dancy, Alok Menon, Mel Ottenberg, Norman Reedus, Jane Seymour, and Patricia van der Vliet are just some of the famous people that will be at the fair.
SALES
Exhibitors at The Armoury Show said they made much money from high-profile buyers and museums. 56 Henry, Alexander Berggruen, Charlie James Gallery, JDJ, Johyun Gallery, Marinaro, Martin Art Projects, Patel Brown, Sebastian Gladstone, Semiose, Van de Weghe, and WENTRUP are just some of the galleries that reported selling out their booths.
Sales of note included:
A painting by Mario Martinez brought in $125,000 (Garth Greenan), and eleven paintings by Howardena Pindell sold for between $100,000 and $875,000. There was a $800,000 sale of a painting by Lynne Drexler, $275,000 for a painting by Perle Fine, $200,000 for an Alice Baber painting, and $195,000 for an Ethel Schwabacher picture (Berry Campbell).
Jessica Silverman reports a $400,000 sale of a giant Woody De Othello bronze sculpture with a patinated finish.
Ben Hunter reports a $250,000 sale of a Kim Lim piece. Nine of Maria Berrio’s brand-new paintings from this year’s Armoury Show sold for between $65,000 and $200,000 (Victoria Miro). The 303 Gallery in New York City bought Rob Pruitt’s painting A Month of Early Morning Fog Over Lake Montauk (March 2023) for $175,000. Works by Chiharu Shiota sold for up to $106,000 (Templon), while an oil on canvas by Philip Pearlstein went for the same price.
Price points ranged from $20,000 to $150,000 (Kasmin) for works by artists such as Diana Al-Hadid, Theodora Allen, Vanessa German, Daniel Gordon, Alexander Harrison, Lyn Liu, Alexis Ralaivao, and Bosco Sodi. Tang Contemporary Art reports that the prices for works by Zhu Jinshi, Wang Xiayao, Yue Minjun, Etsu Egami, Yoon Hyup, Woo Kukwon, and Zhao Zhao ranged from $16,000 to $125,000.
ARMOUR LIVE
Armoury Live was a public discussion between artists, curators, authors, collectors, and heads of art institutions. Panellists and moderators included Alok Vaid-Menon, Carson Chan (Director, Emilio Ambasz Institute for the Joint Study of the Built and the Natural Environment, Museum of Modern Art), Michael Govan (CEO, Wallis Annenberg Director), and Stephanie Syjuco (Artist). Other participants included Hank Willis Thomas Dyani White Hawk. The importance of cultural institutions in defending and caring for LGBT identities, the future of the art market, mindful collecting in the modern market, and many other subjects were discussed.
Images by Vincent Tullo and The Armoury Show
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