As I wrote last September in my Armory Show roundup- I love a good art fair. Despite their shortcomings, they often prove to be a glamorous and accessible lens through which to look at the broad stretch of New York fine art. But at $98 general entry, Frieze NYC is almost double the cost of the Armory Show, and this year, I found myself questioning whether it was really meant for the average person to enjoy. However, just down the road, the New Art Dealers Alliance Fair proved to be firmly for the people.
The feeling of being cramped and jostled that I experienced at Frieze NYC (welcome to the city) continued at NADA at their 548 W 22nd St location. The squeeze made the overwhelming amount of great art harder to breathe through. Now, I’ve read some criticisms of NADA from more seasoned art world vets, claiming that the NADA gallerists took fewer risks this year. But, frankly, I find it hard to complain in the presence of objectively great art. I recognised many works and artists that had recent fair showings, but otherwise, I was delighted to discover a diverse range of fresh works from all over the West, namely great pieces from the West Coast and Latin America, as well as several young New York galleries.
Here were my favourite booths at NADA this year:
STRADA
Hunter Amost, Gridlock, 2023. Courtesy of the artist and STRADA. Hunter Amost, Self Depict NY, 2023. Courtesy of the artist and STRADA.
ILY2
RAHMANIAN, ZAHRA. Courtesy of the artist and ILY2.
Asya Geisberg
Gabriela Vainsencher. Courtesy of the artist and Asya Geisberg Gallery. Rebecca Morgan. Courtesy of the artist and Asya Geisberg Gallery.
Spencer Brownstone
JK, Alex’s Garden. Courtesy of the artist and Spencer Brownstone.
de boer
Claire Milbrath, Skier, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and de boer.Rachel Bos, O. Biaul, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and de boer.
Kapp Kapp
Dorrian Reid, Untitled, 2019. Courtesy of the artist and Kapp Kapp. Dorian Reid, Untitled, 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Kapp Kapp.
la BEAST
Annie Louise Goldman, Lactation Therapist, 2022. Courtesy of the artist and la Beast gallery.Josh Cloud, Encounter No. 2, 2023. Courtesy of the artist and la Beast gallery.
Swivel Gallery
Jens Kothe, Stapled Cracks I.II, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Swivel Gallery.Rodrigo Ramirez Rodriguez, Dulces Espinas, 2022. Courtesy of the artist and Swivel Gallery.
Bradley Ertaskiran
Rick Leong, Edge of Forever, 2023. Courtesy of the artist and Bradley Ertaskiran.
Entrance
Installation view, Entrance, NADA, New York.
Superhouse
Ellen Pong, G01, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Superhouse.Ellen Pong, C02, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Superhouse.
NASAL
Armando Rosales Rivero, I Used To, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Nasal. Armando Rosales Rivero, Crash/Nudge, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Nasal.
KDR
Installation view, KDR, NADA, New York, 2024.
KIPNZ
Paul Latislaw, Bar Fight: Scene IV, 2021/2024. Courtesy of the artist and KIPNZ.Paul Latislaw, Homestea, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and KIPNZ.
