From December 5th to 10th, Miami welcomed the 33rd edition of Art Miami and the 11th edition of CONTEXT Art Miami, creating a dynamic fusion of contemporary and modern art. Under the framework of Miami Art Week, this immersive experience unfolded against the backdrop of the city’s vibrant art scene and featured a convergence of global artists, collectors, and enthusiasts. The fair held their annual VIP Preview Night and registered a 30% increase in attendees compared to last year. These attendees included PAMM Director Franklin Sirmans, Goldman Global Arts and Wynwood Walls Curator Jessica Goldman Srebnick, artists such as Ron English, RISK, Gino Miles, David Yarrow and celebrities such as Pierce Brosnan, Will Smith, Kevin O’Leary and many more.
Diversity and participating galleries
Starting in October, the excitement built up as Art Miami unveiled its impressive lineup of over 170 international galleries and 900 artists. The fair solidified its position as a leading player in the global contemporary and modern art market. Hailing from cities like London, Tokyo, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Venice, Hong Kong, as well as across the United States, these galleries showcased a compelling assortment of paintings, drawings, design, sculpture, video art, photography, and prints.
The international diversity was further emphasized as we explored the offerings of Art Miami, highlighting the collaborative efforts with respected galleries worldwide. The commitment to showcasing significant artworks of the 20th and 21st centuries was evident in the curation, providing collectors, curators, and art lovers with the chance to acquire iconic works from modern masters to sought-after contemporary artists.
You can find a full list of participating galleries at the end of this article.
Special Exhibitions and Events
This year’s edition of the show featured a variety of special exhibitions and events. Some of these included an homage to Colombian Artist Fernando Botero, who recently passed and who played a leading role in Colombian LATAM artists, and the international recognition of this region’s art. The exhibited work was possible thanks to Galeria Duque Arango, a gallery located in Medellin, Colombia, the artist’s home town.
Additionally, these special exhibitions and events also included large scale sculptures and live performances of artists just as RISK, Jason Meyers and Juan Roberto Diago, solo exhibitions by Add Fuel, a public installation titled “Proto Portl Hologram” by Gary James McQueen alongside West Chelsea Contemporary, book signings, and much more.
This year’s edition of the show featured a variety of special exhibitions and events. Some of these included an homage to Colombian Artist Fernando Botero, who recently passed and who played a leading role in Colombian LATAM artists, and the international recognition of this region’s art. The exhibited work was possible thanks to Galeria Duque Arango, a gallery located in Medellin, Colombia, the artist’s home town.
Sponsors and beneficiaries
This year’s edition of the show was sponsored by PNC Private Bank (Signature Sponsor), an institution who has consistently shown support and enthusiasm towards the arts in the South Florida region. This sponsorship reinforces the bank’s intention of fostering creativity and supporting cultural initiatives across the U.S.
Additionally, for the 12th consecutive year, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) took center stage as the exclusive VIP Preview benefactor. The VIP Preview, held on December 5th, saw the convergence of distinguished figures from the art world, including PAMM Director Franklin Sirmans and renowned curator Jessica Goldman Srebnick. Art Miami’s cumulative donation of over $350,000 to PAMM underscored its commitment to supporting the museum’s collection and mission.
Sales insights and community
With over 240 exhibitors across both Art Miami and Context, attendees were treated to a wealth of artistic expression from 31 countries around the world. The list of exhibited creators included Latinx and Asian American Pacific Islander artists who, in many works, addressed important and current social issues such as human rights, war, feminism, inequality and much more.
As per purchases, both small and larger galleries were at the focus of attendees, but the higher figures were centered around iconic artists. Highlighted transactions that showed the spirit of collectors attending the fair included the purchase of works by recently deceased artist Fernando Botero, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Paul Nicklen, Federico Uribe and Yayoi Kusama.
Dot Red Highlights for Art Miami + Context 2023
Alongside Cynthia Corbett Gallery, Miles Regis, Trinidad-born and LA based artist, showed his work at the fair this year. Known for his vibrant work, Regis integrates social issues, ancestral history, powerful imagery into each one of his pieces, as well as his musical background.
His expanded paintings and mixed media work gathered the attention of a great number of attendees at Art Miami, and this year, his art resonated with celebrities such as Will Smith, who came to his booth to personally see his art. Other celebrity clients of Miles Regis include Beyoncé, Spike Lee, Mariah Carey and more.
During our visit at Art Miami, we also had the opportunity to connect and interview Terrel Tilford, Founder and Creative Director of Band of Vices, with their booth at Context. The exhibited work featured young and diverse artists such as Monica Keg, Victoria Cassinova and Tommy Mitchell.
With a purpose of allowing access to individuals from historically underrepresented communities, Band of Vices aims to connect and create meaningful relationships with collectors and art enthusiasts. Tilford mentions the importance within Band of Vices of valuing these relationships over transactions themselves.
The full interview will be posted on our social media.
