One of the most exciting weeks of the year is upon us — New York Art Week 2025 — when the city transforms into a global epicenter of creativity. Whether you’re collecting, browsing, or simply immersing yourself in art culture, there’s something incredible happening on every corner. Here’s my curated breakdown of what not to miss, based on Galerie’s phenomenal guide.
Frieze New York | The Shed
Photo Credit: @Canada.NYC
May 7–11
With more than 65 galleries from 25 countries, Frieze New York is an absolute must. Highlights include:
- Jeff Koons’ Hulk sculptures presented by Gagosian in an immersive setup.
- Claire Tabouret’s nostalgia-infused paintings at Perrotin.
- Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s thought-provoking sculptures at James Cohan, crafted from Vietnam UXO fragments.
- Curated dual booths like Pace’s Adam Pendleton and Lynda Benglis, or Jennie C. Jones and Donald Moffat at Alexander Gray Associates.
- Self-taught visionaries Abraham Lincoln Walker and Frank Walter at Andrew Edlin Gallery.
Also look out for the Artist Plate Project, benefiting the Coalition for the Homeless.
Independent | Spring Studios
Photo Credit: @independent_hq
May 8–11
This fair celebrates emerging voices with over 130 artists across 85 galleries. Don’t miss:
- Shafei Xia’s paintings and sculptures at P420.
- Laura Footes’ ethereal figures at Shrine.
- Guy Richards Smit’s witty cartoons at A Hug From The Art World.
- The haunting photographs of Tseng Kwong Chi at Yancey Richardson.
- Klara Zetterholm’s life-like sculptures merging anthropology and myth at Suprainfinit.
TEFAF New York | Park Avenue Armory
Photo Credit: Courtesy JO-HS
May 8–13
A true jewel box of antiquity and contemporary flair. Some show-stoppers include:
- A 2nd-century Roman marble head at Charles Ede.
- A colorful 1935 portrait by Marie Laurencin at Almine Rech.
- Zaha Hadid’s acrylic coffee table at David Gill Gallery.
- Bronze reliefs by Anne Imhof at Sprüth Magers.
Not to mention the incredible solo presentations of Ruth Asawa at David Zwirner and Lee Bontecou at Marc Selwyn and Ortuzar Projects.
NADA New York | Starrett-Lehigh Building
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist and Sabroso Projects.
May 7–11
Focused on discovery, this fair highlights emerging and alternative galleries. Top picks:
- Anne Buckwalter’s voyeuristic Americana at Uffner & Liu.
- Melissa Rios’ feminist-surrealist works at JO-HS.
- Sheree Hovsepian’s hybrid photo-collages.
- Sarah Bedford’s painterly explosions of color at Mrs.
- Group shows exploring landscapes and identities from artists like Yoab Vera and Robert Janitz.
Future Fair | Chelsea Industrial
Photo Credit: Claire Iltis. Courtesy of the artist’s estate and Margot Samel
May 7–10
A favorite for discovering new talent in intimate settings. Must-sees:
- Larissa De Jesús Negrón’s subconscious landscapes at Sabroso Projects.
- Katrina Sánchez’s soft sculptural wall pieces at Abigail Ogilvy.
- Raina Lee’s ceramic homages to Spain’s architecture at LaiSun Keane.
- Donna Moylan, Maria Kozak, and Danielle Klebes round out dreamy and surreal figurative narratives.
Esther II | New York Estonian House
Photo Credit: @esther.newyork
May 6–10
The art-world’s hidden gem this year. Tucked inside a historical building, it delivers:
- Evelyn Plaschg’s evocative works from Layr.
- Jessy Razafimandimby’s cinematic paintings at Sans titre.
- Sinikka Kurkinen’s vibrant abstractions from Ivan Gallery.
- Iconic outsider assemblages by Leroy Johnson, courtesy of Margot Samel.
Whether you’re drawn to the old-world elegance of TEFAF, the experimental boldness of Future Fair, or the powerhouse presentations at Frieze, this week proves that New York still leads the world in art innovation.
Let me know what you’re planning to see or if something absolutely blew you away — New York Art Week 2025 is truly the city at its creative best.
