Dynamic Presentations from Top International Galleries, Curated Sections Showcasing Emerging and Under-Recognized Artists, Site-Specific Commissions, Talks, Public Programs and a Selection of New York City’s Best Restaurants

Convening more than 200 galleries from 31 countries for its fifth edition, Frieze New York showcases an extraordinary cross-section of work by contemporary artists from around the world, from the newly discovered to contemporary masters. On view in Randall’s Island Park from May 5 – 8, 2016, with an invitation-only preview on May 4, the fair is mounted in a light-filled structure designed for the presentation of contemporary art, providing collectors, scholars, and art enthusiasts alike with an immersive cultural experience overlooking the East River. This year’s Frieze New York features an unparalleled program of solo shows, ambitious artist commissions and installations, curated special sections showcasing emerging artists and galleries, education programs and talks that share nuanced perspectives on the world of contemporary art.

Frieze New York is sponsored by Deutsche Bank for the fifth consecutive year, continuing a shared commitment to discovery and artistic excellence.

Victoria Siddall, Director of Frieze, is leading the team for Frieze New York 2016, with Artistic Directors Abby Bangser and Joanna Stella-Sawicka. Independent curators Cecilia Alemani (High Line Art, New York), Tom Eccles (Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College), Clara M Kim (Tate Modern, London), Jacob Proctor (Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society, University of Chicago) and Fabian Schöneich (Portikus, Frankfurt), are devising special sections of the fair and a program of ambitious artist commissions and talks.

‘Frieze has engaged in a critical dialogue with contemporary artists, curators, dealers, collectors and writers for 25 years and I am happy that this legacy continues to inform the content, quality and range of our fairs,’ noted Siddall. ‘Frieze New York offers a fantastic cultural experience – from presentations by the best galleries from around the world, to newly commissioned works and innovative public programs, to the natural light that infuses our unique, bespoke space – all set in this incredible city. This is the fifth edition of Frieze New York and it promises to be a great week.’

Founded by Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover, the Frieze fairs, which include Frieze New York, Frieze London and Frieze Masters, are informed by the global perspective, sustained engagement and insights that Frieze has generated for the art world since 1991.

Since its launch in 2012, Frieze New York has garnered a reputation for organizing ambitious, museum-quality presentations, with representation from around the globe. The fair returns this year with three specially curated sections, each of which highlights artists and galleries often overlooked in fair settings and provides exhibition platforms for galleries at all stages in their development. These include: 

• Spotlight, a section for solo artist presentations of 20th-century artwork, focusing on work made after 1960 and exploring global positions beyond the Western tradition.
• Focus, a section of solo or curated presentations by young galleries conceived especially for the fair, debuting work that has never before been presented within an art fair context.
• Frame, a section featuring solo artist presentations by new galleries established less than eight years ago. 

For the first time this year, all three sections will be located in discrete areas of the fair, rather than interwoven throughout, enabling visitors to have focused experiences of these dynamic presentations.