At the VIP opening of Frieze New York on Wednesday, dealers reported strong sales despite economic uncertainty from Trump administration policies and trade war threats. The fair, recently sold to Hollywood powerhouse Ari Emanuel, returned to the Shed in Hudson Yards with 67 exhibitors. Gagosian Gallery generated the most buzz, selling one of three Jeff Koons Incredible Hulk sculptures—polychromed steel works priced around $3 million each—and placing a hold on another. Other notable sales included works by Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Tomie Ohtake, Sheila Hicks, Liza Lou, and Gertrude Abercrombie, with galleries like James Cohan, Galeria Nara Roesler, Thaddaeus Ropac, Karma, and Hauser & Wirth reporting brisk business.
This article matters because it provides an early snapshot of the art market's resilience amid geopolitical and economic headwinds. The strong sales at Frieze New York, especially the high-ticket Koons sculptures, signal that top-tier collectors remain active and confident, even as some dealers note a more cautious, considered pace. The fair's performance is a bellwether for the broader art market in 2025, and the presence of major figures like Thelma Golden and Max Hollein underscores its continued importance as a hub for the global art world.