Since its inception in 2010, Independent has intentionally set itself apart from other art fairs. The invite-only affair opts for open floor plans in lieu of traditional aisles and booths, yielding a sprawling, egalitarian showcase that founder Elizabeth Dee has explained is a strategic move intended to give the feel of a biennale.
Anastasia Komar, “EDEn III,” 2024, Acrylic and electroplated polymer on board, 51 x 63 x 8.5 in, Courtesy of the artist and Management, New York.
Independent’s Largest Edition to Date
Independent returns to Spring Studios in Tribeca this week for its largest edition yet, bringing with it more than 130 artists from 88 galleries and nonprofits nominated by founding curatorial advisor Matthew Higgs. From May 9 to 12, viewers may observe solo, duo, and group exhibitions of contemporary art across the venue’s four floors. Independent has a respected track record of launching artists to a new level of recognition, and this year is no exception.
Swiss artist Romane de Watteville makes her American debut with Ciaccia Levi, showcasing new paintings created specifically for the fair in which patterns and images lend themselves to narratives of desire. Ukrainian artist Sana Shahmuradova-Tanska unveils a series of paintings created against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine which habitually center on the subjects of life and death, courtesy of Ivan Gallery and Voloshyn Gallery.
Jasmin Anoschkin, “Golden Menstruation Yoga,” 2020, Glazed stoneware, 29.5 x 23.6 x 16 in, Photo by Joe Kramm, Courtesy Hostler Burrows, New York.
The Must-See Presentations Tackling Complex Themes
This is the most international edition in Independent’s history, with stunning showcases from 59 North American, 23 European, 4 Latin American, and 2 Asian galleries. Highlights include Nigerian artist Luke Agada with moniquemeloche, whose surrealistic paintings of disembodied figures take place in dreamlike landscapes, and Dutch-Chinese artist Michael Ho presented by Gallery Vacancy, whose work grapples with the Chinese diaspora and the historical phenomenon of yellowface.
As a special initiative to celebrate the fair’s fifteenth anniversary, Dee and Higgs are co-curating the focused presentation 15 x15: Independent 2010-2024, which features artists and galleries who have made a significant impact on Independent’s history.
Olivia Jia, “Collage study (self portrait with shadow, vase),” 2024, Oil on panel, 7 x 5 in, Courtesy of the artist and Margot Samel, New York.
Tobías Dirty, “Expedición al Volcán,” 2024, Oil on canvas, 39 3⁄8 x 39 3⁄8, Copyright of the artist, courtesy of Galería Agustina Ferreyra, Mexico City.
Vian Sora, “Biomimicry I,” 2024, Oil on canvas with mixed media, 72 x 65, Courtesy David Nolan Gallery, New York.
Yanjun Li, “Reverie,” 2024, Oil on canvas, 49.5 x 40, Courtesy Long Story Short, New York.
Sana Shahmuradova-Tanska, “Astral Trip Back Home,” 2023, Oil on canvas, 70.9 x 63 in, Courtesy the artist and Voloshyn Gallery, Miami and Kyiv, Ukraine.
