The 12th annual TEFAF New York fair took place at the Park Avenue Armory from May 15 to 19, attracting wealthy collectors with a mix of blue-chip art, design objects, and jewelry. Highlights included Kathleen Ryan's bejeweled 'Bad Fruit' sculptures at Gagosian, Cai Guo-Qiang's gunpowder paintings at White Cube (which sold 11 of 12 works), Sheila Hicks's textiles at Demisch Danant, and a new David Hockney painting at Annely Juda Fine Art. The fair featured 88 galleries from 14 countries, with VIP previews drawing art advisors and high-net-worth clients.
The fair underscores the resilience of the high-end art market despite economic concerns, with TEFAF continuing to serve as a barometer for luxury spending and collector taste. The event also reflects broader trends such as the blending of art and design in gallery presentations, the growing demand for contemporary craft-based works, and the strategic importance of New York as a hub for global art commerce.