Related Articles
-Editorial
Art Basel Miami Beach, the premier destination for Modern and contemporary art in the Americas, is set to return for its 2024 edition with an exceptional array of exhibitions, collaborators, and galleries. The fair, running from December 6 to 8, 2024, with VIP Preview Days on December 4 and 5, promises to showcase the best in artistic innovation, attracting art professionals, collectors, and enthusiasts from around the world.
In its 2024 iteration, Art Basel will be led by newly appointed director Bridget Finn, whose vision for the fair will bring exciting changes and fresh perspectives. Under her leadership, the fair will welcome 283 leading galleries from 38 countries and territories, marking a notable increase in participation. The presence of a larger contingent of new exhibitors—the most in over a decade—signals a rejuvenated artistic program.
As one of the most influential art fairs in the world, Art Basel Miami Beach will serve as a key platform for both established and emerging galleries. This year, over two-thirds of the exhibitors will come from the Americas, including leading galleries from the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and beyond. At the same time, international exhibitors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa will offer a comprehensive global perspective.
The fair will feature six distinct sectors: Galleries, Nova, Positions, Survey, Kabinett, and Meridians. Each sector provides a unique window into the contemporary art scene, with artists ranging from rising talents to Modern masters. The Galleries sector remains the heart of the show, with over 200 Modern, postwar, and contemporary art dealers showcasing the full spectrum of their programs. The Nova sector will spotlight emerging talent, featuring work by up to three artists, all created in the past three years. Positions, dedicated to emerging galleries and artists, will provide a platform for breakthrough creatives. The survey will focus on historically significant works created before the year 2000, offering a deeper understanding of art history.
One of the most anticipated aspects of the 2024 edition is the fifth anniversary of Meridians, Art Basel’s sector dedicated to large-scale artworks. For the first time, Meridians will be curated by Yasmil Raymond, an internationally respected curator known for her work at major institutions such as The Museum of Modern Art and Dia Art Foundation. Raymond’s curatorial approach for this year’s Meridians promises to deliver works that explore themes of transformation, space, and regeneration.
Among the standout projects in Meridians are Metal Storm (2024), a new bronze sculpture by American artist Rachel Feinstein, presented by Gagosian, and a monumental photogram by Peruvian artist Roberto Huarcaya, depicting the Amazon rainforest in its grandeur and fragility. Other notable works include a walk-in sculpture by Chinese artist Zhu Jinshi, made from 16,000 sheets of paper, and Goya (2024), a 10-foot aluminum sculpture by American artist Alice Aycock.
The Kabinett sector, known for its curated presentations within the main sector, will offer visitors an intimate look at thematic exhibitions. Finn has emphasized a renewed focus on discovery in this sector, offering art lovers the chance to engage with exceptional works in a more focused and personal way.
Highlights include works by the Argentine artist collective Chiachio & Giannone, who will present a large-scale embroidery celebrating LGBTQ culture and Indigenous Guarani traditions. The Korean artist Lee ShinJa will also exhibit her geometric tapestries from the 1980s, blending traditional weaving techniques with vibrant contemporary colors. Meanwhile, Bound Angel (2021), an installation by American artist Portia Munson, will evoke themes of femininity and consumerism through a surreal display of wedding dresses and discarded objects.
Art Basel’s Conversations program will also return in 2024, with a new curator, Kimberly Bradley, at the helm. Conversations will feature a series of panels and talks, bringing together thought leaders from across the art world to discuss pressing issues in contemporary art. The program will kick off with a special Premiere Artist Talk featuring renowned American artist Hank Willis Thomas, whose work challenges viewers to confront complex social issues such as race, identity, and representation.
One of the major highlights of the 2024 edition is the arrival of 34 new galleries, joining Art Basel across various sectors. Among the newcomers are prominent international galleries such as Gallery Baton (Seoul), Jan Kaps (Köln), and Pearl Lam Galleries (Hong Kong, Shanghai). These galleries will bring exciting and innovative works from around the world, further enhancing the fair’s global appeal.
In addition, 30 galleries will exhibit in the gallery sector for the first time, including Martos Gallery (New York), Gallery Wendi Norris (San Francisco), and Tim Van Laere Gallery (Antwerp, Rome). These new exhibitors promise to offer fresh perspectives and bold artistic statements, cementing Art Basel Miami Beach’s status as a dynamic platform for contemporary art.
Art Basel Miami Beach, with the support of its Global Lead Partner UBS, will once again transform the city into a vibrant hub for art and culture during Miami Art Week. The event is expected to draw collectors, artists, curators, and art lovers to a weeklong celebration featuring world-class exhibitions, pop-up installations, and exclusive events throughout the city.