As 2017 comes to a close, we’re taking the time to reflect on the artists that made the biggest impact in the art world this year. Here are the 30 artists we’re sure we’ll be hearing more from in 2018, and their exhibitions and works we’re still thinking about.
Top 30 Impactful Artists
Ai Weiwei
“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors” with Public Art Fund (on view through February 11, 2018).
Toyin Ojih Odutola.
Years Later – Her Scarf, 2017.
Charcoal, pastel, and pencil on paper.
72 x 42 inches.
©Toyin Ojih Odutola.
Courtesy of the artist; Jack Shainman Gallery, New York;
and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Amy Sherald
Commissioned to paint Michelle Obama‘s official portrait for the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
Arthur Jafa
“Love is The Message, The Message is Death” at Serpentine Galleries (October 5—September 14).
Installation view of Water Woman by Wangechi Mutu, 2017 in Ndoro Na Miti at Gladstone Gallery, New York, January 26 – March 25, 2017. Photo by David Regen. Copyright Wangechi Mutu. Courtesy of the artist and Gladstone Gallery, New York and Brussels.
Avery Singer
The artist’s “Days of the Weak” painting series in “Days are Dogs” at Palais de Tokyo.
Barkley L. Hendricks
The artist passed away in 2017. His work was included in Tate Modern‘s “Soul of a Nation” (July 12—October 22).
Barkley L. Hendricks
Icon for My Man Superman (Superman Never Saved any Black People – Bobby Seale)
1969
Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York
On view at Tate Modern
More Artists Creating an Impact
Camille Henrot
“Days are Dogs” at Palais de Tokyo (October 18, 2017—January 7, 2018).
Carolee Schneemann
“Kinetic Painting” at MoMA PS1 (through March 11, 2018).
Installation view of “Sanford Biggers: Selah” at Marianne Boesky Gallery (September 7 – October 21, 2017).
Chloe Wise
“Of false beaches and butter money” at Almine Rech Gallery (September 5—October 7).
Derrick Adams
“Future People” at Theaster Gates’ Stony Island Arts Bank (June 6—September 18).
Camille Henrot, Tuesday (still), 2017, video, sound, 20 min 50 sec, courtesy of the artist and kamel mennour (Paris/London); König Galerie (Berlin) ; Metro Pictures (New York). © ADAGP, Paris 2017
Hank Willis Thomas
“The Beautiful Game” at Ben Brown Fine Arts (October 5—November 24).
Jenny Holzer
“Softer” at Blenheim Palace (September 28—December 31).
Installation view of Kara Walker’s “Sikkema Jenkins and Co. is Compelled to present The most Astounding and Important Painting show of the fall Art Show viewing season!” (September 7 – October 14, 2017)
Photo by Jason Wyche, courtesy of Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York.
Jordan Casteel
“Nights in Harlem” at Casey Kaplan (September 7—October 28).
Kara Walker
“Sikkema Jenkins and Co. is Compelled to present The most Astounding and Important Painting show of the fall Art Show viewing season!” at Sikkema Jenkins (September 7—October 14).
Wendell Castle, Walnut Sculpture, 1958—1959, photo by Adam Reich, courtesy of Friedman Benda and Wendell Castle.
Katherine Bernhardt
“Concrete Jungle Jungle Love” at Lever House (April 28—September 28).
Katie Stout
“Side Dish” at R & Company (September 26—October 26).
Marilyn Minter (American, b. 1948).
Black Orchid, 2012.
C-print, 86 x 57 in. (218.4 x 144.8 cm).
Courtesy of the artist, Salon 94, New York, and Regen Projects, Los Angeles.
Courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum.
Kerry James Marshall
His blockbuster show “Mastry” continued on from The Met Breuer to MOCA in Los Angeles.
Lee Krasner
Her work in the Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary November sale, Shattered Light (1954), sold for a record-breaking $5.5M.
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye
“Under-Song for a Cipher” at the New Museum (May 3—September 3).
Marilyn Minter
“Pretty/Dirty” at the Brooklyn Museum (closed May 7).
Mark Bradford
“Tomorrow is Another Day” at the Venice Beinnale, representing the U.S. (May 13—November 26).
Misha Kahn
“Midden Heap” at Friedman Benda (October 26—December 16).
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Named a 2017 MacArthur Fellow.
Other Top Artists
Paul Mpagi Sepuya
His series of photographers in “Trigger: Gender as a Tool and a Weapon” at the New Museum (September 27, 2017—January 21, 2018).
Raúl de Nieves
Site-specific stained glass installation “Somos Monstros 2” at the Whitney Biennial (March 17–June 11).
Sanford Biggers
“Selah” at Marianne Boesky Gallery (September —October 21).
Simone Leigh
Her installation and music program in “Trigger: Gender as a Tool and a Weapon” at the New Museum (September 27, 2017—January 21, 2018).
Toyin Ojih Odutola
“To Wander Determined” at The Whitney (October 20, 2017—February 25, 2018).
Wangechi Mutu
“Ndoro Na Miti” at Gladstone Gallery (January 27—March 25).
Yayoi Kusama
“Infinity Mirrors” at the Hirshhorn Museum (February 23—May 14).
Zoe Buckman
“Imprison Her Soft Hand” at Project for Empty Space (February 22—April 1).
