Art Paris 2023: 25 Years of Art

This year’s edition of Art Paris marks its 25th anniversary. The fair, which is open from March 30th to April 2nd, welcomed over 130 modern and contemporary art galleries. They exhibited in the Grand Palais Éphémère, at the foot of the Eiffel tower, to showcase emerging and established artists from all over the world. Our team of experts went to the preview to offer you their insights on the trends which marked the contemporary art scene at Art Paris 2023.

Exile and Dispossession

Given that this was the theme of this year’s fair, it comes as no surprise that there was plenty of work on this subject. Majd Abdel Hamid’s embroideries, polaroids and videos (gb agency gallery) highlighted his relationship with the city of Beirut. Matthias Bitzner’s installation piece (Francesca Minini gallery) invoked questions of identity and belonging. Art Paris also used the fair as an opportunity to highlight artists who personally related to the theme. We found the textile works of Tirdad Hashemi (gb agency gallery), an Iranian artist who was forced to flee her country because of her sexuality, particularly moving.

The use of natural and organic materials at Art Paris 2023

A continuation of last year’s theme of art and the environment, this year’s edition of Art Paris demonstrates the same focus on natural and organic materials. Almudena Romero’s photo-mural sculptures (Fisheye Gallery) and Vincent Laval’s wooden sculpture (Galerie Bertrand Grimont) were especially striking. Corine Borgnet made her works (H Gallery) from bone and jesmonite. She revealed an ingenious way of manipulating natural and inorganic materials to produce complex, beautiful pieces.

Repeated depictions of the human figure

Representations of the human figure were plentiful at Art Paris 2023. Some interpretations were more realistic, like those shown in the works of Omar Ba (Galerie Templon) and Mark Jenkins (Danysz Gallery). Others, took a more abstract aproach. Pauline D’Andigné’s Thunder Thighs (Ketabi Bourdet) is one such example. And, whilst there weren’t a lot of sculptures at the fair this year, we saw several of the human body. Bae Hyung Kyung (Gallery Simon) and Philippe Hiquily (Galerie Patrice Trigano) produced bronze creations that are well worth a visit!

High prevalence of geometric works at Art Paris 2023

Shapes were everywhere. From the lines of Jaume Plensa (Galerie Lelong) and M.T. Vacossin (Oniris.Art) to the circles of Alice Ronchi (Francesca Minini gallery), colorful, geometric works were omnipresent throughout the fair. We particularly loved the lacquered compositions of Jean Dewaise (Galerie Patrice Trigano) and the sequined canvases of Noh, Sang-Kyoon (Gallery Simon). If you’re at Art Paris 2023 and you’re looking for something less colorful but equally as dynamic, you have options. Check out the monochromatic pieces of Pierre Muckensturm (Galerie La Ligne Zürich) and Zarina’s muted etchings (Jeanne Bucher Jaeger).

Art Paris 2023: a winning anniversary edition

Once again, Art Paris has proven itself a successful and well-established art fair. For the 25th time, it lit up the Parisian contemporary art scene with work by the most interesting artists on the market. At Art Paris 2023, innovative creations by emerging artists sit alongside compelling pieces by established names. And, if you can’t make it to the fair in person, Artsper has curated the perfect online selection for you to enjoy!