On September 5 in New York, the third edition of Independent 20th Century returns to the city this fall at the Battery Maritime Building, on view through September 8. The world-renowned fair unveils a digital preview on August 29, uplifting a diverse gathering of both little-known and eminent creatives, offering visitors sweeping perspectives and intricate observations into 20th-century masterpieces.
Founded by Elizabeth Dee in 2022, the invitation-only fair boasts a newly expansive curatorial team that has skillfully selected 32 exhibitors. Fifteen groundbreaking spaces from around the world, like Alison Jacques, London; Gomide&Co, São Paulo; and Fair Warning, New York (Loïc Gouzer’s deftly curated auction platform), will present at Independent 20th Century for the significant first time.
Independent 20th Century, 2023, New York, Photography by Alexa Hoyer, Courtesy Independent.
Susana Wald, “El Sueño del Geómetra
(The Geometrician’s Dream), “1982,
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 19 inches,
Courtesy the Artist, Marisa Newman
Projects and Galerie Michael Janssen.
The must-see works of nearly 65 artists will be on magnificent display, featuring perceptive solo shows, pivotal 20th-century female creatives, the artistry of Indigenous and Black artists, and more. Participating galleries will pay homage to visionaries with institutional reappraisals, such as at the 60th International Art Exhibition of the Biennale di Venezia, curated by Adriano Pedrosa.
Showcasing Key Artists and Movements at Independent 20th Century
“Independent 20th Century is broadening our understanding of the canon, by showcasing key artists and movements currently undergoing reassessment in our cultural landscape,” said Dee. “We present a platform for well-informed collectors and museums who are actively engaging with opportunities to thoughtfully explore new art historical conversations. Our mission as a fair is to link the past to the present moment in contemporary art.”
“Our mission as a fair is to link the past to the present moment in contemporary art,”
— Elizabeth Dee
Independent 20th Century, 2023, New York, Photography by Alexa Hoyer, Courtesy Independent.
Abdias do Nascimento, “Oricha’s Mother (Mother Nature),” 1971, acrylic
on Canvas, 36 x 48 inch, Buffalo, New York, USA, courtesy Galeria MaPa,
São Paulo.
Solo Surveys Spotlight Luminaries Raoul Dufy, Pablo Picasso, and More
Solo surveys at this year’s edition of Independent 20th Century abound, including a focus on Raoul Dufy, an artist who blossomed during the 20th century in Paris. With an exploratory style that invokes Impressionist gestures and the Fauves’ dreamlike palette, detailed works on paper and paintings created from 1920-1948 radiate with poetic life.
John Szoke Gallery will raise the curtain on a solo exhibition of works on paper by Pablo Picasso, while Almine Rech investigates the creative evolution of Karel Appel throughout the 1950s and 60s.
Pablo Picasso, “La Femme à la Résille
(Femme aux Cheveux verts),” 1949,
lithograph, 36 x 29 1⁄2 inches, courtesy
John Szoke Gallery.
Independent 20th Century, 2023, New York, Photography by Alexa Hoyer, Courtesy Independent.
The Divine Artistry of Women Artists, Including Eileen Agar and Juliana Seraphim
12 innovative female Surrealists from around the world are placed at the heart of Richard Saltoun Gallery’s presentation, titled “Butterfly Time.” British painter and photographer Eileen Agar, Lebanese artist Juliana Seraphim, and Czech avant-garde creative Bĕla Kolářová particularly shine in this experiential show.
Dutton newly exhibits at Independent 20th Century with an intimate focus on Rose deSmith Greenman, an artist who discovered her innate talents in her 70s while battling Alzheimer’s disease. Lush drawings of her beloved family, home, and garden impart precious nuances and unstoppable creativity.
Independent 20th Century, 2023, New York, Photography by Alexa Hoyer, Courtesy Independent.
A Focus on Black and Indigenous Artists at Independent 20th Century
A vibrant celebration of the Black body unfolds in Ryan Lee’s exhibition, fusing the singular artistry of Harlem Renaissance sculptor Richmond Barthé and stirring explorations by artist Emma Amos from the 1980s. OSMOS champions the past and current artworks of Australian Aboriginal artist Richard Bell, and Galeria MaPa highlights the creative storytelling in paintings by Afro-Brazilian artist, scholar, and statesman Abdias do Nascimento.
Brazilian multidisciplinary artist Heitor dos Prazeres is shown by Galatea and Simões de Assis. His paintings that illustrate the beauty of the day-to-day moments in Rio de Janeiro’s Afro-Brazilian communities. Jovial carnival gatherings take center stage in the mesmeric works by the artist who was also a trailblazer in the realm of Samba.
Masaaki Miyasako, “Firework ‘Aqua’ – Eternal Moment – 水花火,” 2023, Byoubu Screens, H70 7/8 x W141 3/4 in, H180 x W360 cm; courtesy the artist and Ippodo Gallery.
