independent 2026 exhibitor list 1234776856
Independent has unveiled the exhibitor list for its 17th edition, scheduled for May 14–17, 2026. The fair is relocating to a new venue at Pier 36 in New York’s Lower East Side and will feature 76 exhibitors showcasing over 100 artists. Notably, more than 70 percent of the booths will be dedicated to solo presentations, including a special solo project by Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons and sculptural installations by Gretchen Bender and Francis Upritchard.
The move to the Lower East Side signifies a strategic shift for the boutique fair, as it integrates more deeply with the local gallery ecosystem and adopts a more ambitious architectural profile through collaborations with design firms SO–IL and D_P_S. By emphasizing "Independent Debuts"—with one-third of artists making their New York solo premiere—the fair continues to position itself as a primary discovery platform for collectors and curators within the increasingly crowded global art fair calendar.