Expo Chicago, the long-running Midwestern truthful that was acquired by the media and occasion firm Frieze in 2023, will return to Navy Pier’s Pageant Corridor this April, with round 130 galleries participating. That lineup of exhibitors represents a dip of round 23% from the truthful’s final three editions, when Expo Chicago expanded to its largest measurement but with round 170 exhibitors. The truthful’s exhibitor announcement frames the scaled-back gallery listing—nearer to the greater than 140 exhibitors who participated in its 2022 version—as a part of “a extra targeted, deliberately scaled format, designed to deepen engagement”.
This will even mark the truthful’s first outing underneath its new director, Kate Sierzputowski, who served for a few years as its inventive director and has taken the reins from its longtime chief Tony Karman.
“As we construct towards Expo Chicago 2026, our precedence has been to refocus the truthful on what has all the time outlined it: rigorous curation, civic collaboration and a deep dedication to artists,” Sierzputowski stated in a press release. “Over the previous yr, we have now formed a good setting that permits considerate, high-quality shows to take type. The purpose is a good that feels intentional, artist-centred and reflective of the artistic power of Chicago.”
As ever, the truthful boasts a powerful contingent of native sellers, together with venerable Chicago galleries Grey, Moniquemeloche, Patron, Doc, Corbett vs. Dempsey, Good Climate and extra. Taking part galleries from elsewhere within the US will embody Sean Kelly, Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, Fort Gansevoort, Half Gallery, Karma and 47 Canal from New York, Regen Initiatives, Vielmetter Los Angeles, Charlie James Gallery and Night time Gallery from Los Angeles, Jonathan Carver Moore, Jessica Silverman and Gallery Wendi Norris from San Francisco, Embajada from Puerto Rico, Rivalry Initiatives from Buffalo, What Pipeline and Matéria from Detroit, and extra.
The truthful is as soon as once more collaborating with the Galleries Affiliation of Korea to deliver 12 galleries from South Korea to Chicago, amongst them 021 Gallery, Gallery Dasun, Lee & Bae and Paik Hae Younger Gallery. Different worldwide exhibitors will embody 4 galleries from Lagos—Adegbola Gallery, Affinity Gallery, Soto Gallery and Yenwa Gallery—Wizard Gallery from Milan, Kevin Kavanagh from Dublin, Contour Artwork Gallery from Vilnius and Cott from Buenos Aires, amongst others.
Expo Chicago can be partnering with the Obama Presidential Middle, because of open on the south aspect of Chicago this spring; Louise Bernard, the director of the centre’s museum, is curating two particular sections on the truthful. One, titled Embodiment, will function works impressed by the structure and artwork commissioned for the centre’s campus. The opposite, Evolution, will embody archival supplies associated to the centre’s artwork commissions—which embody site-specific tasks by Julie Mehretu, Theaster Gates, Maya Lin and others.
“Expo Chicago is uniquely positioned to attach artists with museums and collections,” Essence Harden, the truthful’s curator, stated in a press release. “This yr’s shows replicate targeted, conceptually rigorous practices that resonate with institutional priorities whereas additionally partaking collectors. By constructing on institutional relationships and acquisition pathways, the truthful turns into a significant level of entry for artists into broader cultural and curatorial networks.”
Harden will curate its particular part dedicated to solo and thematic stands, Profile. And Katie A. Pfohl, an affiliate curator of latest artwork on the Detroit Institute of Arts, will curate an exhibition within the truthful’s Focus sector dedicated to galleries which have been open for not more than 12 years, Gathering of Waters, bringing collectively works associated to migration, care and therapeutic, the pure setting and craft-based processes.
Expo Chicago, 9-12 April, Pageant Corridor, Navy Pier
