The 12th edition of NADA New York is now open through May 17 at the Starrett-Lehigh building in Chelsea, featuring 120 galleries and nonprofit spaces from around the world. The fair emphasizes intimacy and scale, with presentations ranging from wrestling-scene paintings by Ursula Dilley to miniature landscapes stitched onto shirt cuffs by Chang Suyung, alongside collaborations rooted in regional craft traditions and psychedelic excess. Cultured magazine highlights seven must-see booths, including solo shows by Douglas Rieger and Loucia Carlier, and a transatlantic dialogue between Saenger Galería and COHJU.
This article matters because NADA New York is a key barometer for emerging and mid-career artists, offering a more intimate and experimental counterpoint to larger commercial fairs like Frieze. The focus on craft, identity, and material experimentation reflects broader trends in contemporary art, where personal narratives and tactile processes are gaining prominence. The fair also underscores the growing internationalization of the art market, with galleries from Shanghai and Mexico City participating, and highlights the importance of nonprofit spaces in fostering new voices.