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 collaborating. 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 may even mark the truthful’s first outing underneath its new director, Kate Sierzputowski, who served for a few years as its creative 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 mentioned in an announcement. “Over the previous yr, now we have formed a good surroundings that permits considerate, high-quality shows to take kind. The purpose is a good that feels intentional, artist-centred and reflective of the inventive 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. Collaborating galleries from elsewhere within the US will embrace Sean Kelly, Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, Fort Gansevoort, Half Gallery, Karma and 47 Canal from New York, Regen Tasks, Vielmetter Los Angeles, Charlie James Gallery and Evening Gallery from Los Angeles, Jonathan Carver Moore, Jessica Silverman and Gallery Wendi Norris from San Francisco, Embajada from Puerto Rico, Rivalry Tasks 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 embrace 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, as a consequence 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 characteristic works impressed by the structure and artwork commissioned for the centre’s campus. The opposite, Evolution, will embrace archival supplies associated to the centre’s artwork commissions—which embrace site-specific initiatives 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, mentioned in an announcement. “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 were open for not more than 12 years, Gathering of Waters, bringing collectively works associated to migration, care and therapeutic, the pure surroundings and craft-based processes.
Expo Chicago, 9-12 April, Pageant Corridor, Navy Pier
