The fourth edition of Independent 20th Century fair takes place at Casa Cipriani from September 4-7, featuring 31 exhibitors and works by around 40 overlooked 20th-century artists. Highlights include solo presentations of visionaries like Gertrude Greene, Jacci Den Hartog, and Judy Pfaff, alongside lesser-known works by icons such as Pablo Picasso and Edvard Munch. New exhibitors like Mariposa Gallery (devoted to queer icon Peter Berlin) and established names like Gmurzynska (showcasing Dan Basen) join the fair, which emphasizes self-taught artists and politically poignant themes.
This fair matters because it challenges the conventional art market narrative by spotlighting historically marginalized or underrecognized artists, offering a corrective to mainstream art history. Founder Elizabeth Dee notes the fair’s collaborative curatorial model and its ability to address themes overlooked by New York museums, such as Soviet trauma through the Kabakovs' work amid the Ukraine war. By prioritizing fresh exhibitors and rediscovery, Independent 20th Century resists becoming a predictable trade show, fostering a more inclusive and timely dialogue in the art world.