The contemporary and modern art fair

Latin America present at Art Basel Miami: who were the most outstanding Hispanic artists in this edition

The contemporary and modern art fair closed its 22nd edition with the attendance of more than 75,000 people and "exceptional sales." During the week, Latin America achieved a prominent place with more than 40 galleries and artists from the region participating in what is gradually becoming the epicenter of American art.

The Art Basel Miami Beach fair closed its 22nd edition with the attendance of more than 75,000 people and "exceptional sales." The largest contemporary art fair in the country exhibited works by some of the world's leading contemporary artists, 20th century masters and emerging voices that are part of different public and private collections. Among the mix of creative voices, Latin America managed to have a prominent place: more than 40 galleries and artists from the region had their place at the fair.

This year's edition of Art Basel, which ended last Sunday, brought together a total of 286 galleries from 38 countries and territories, spread across six sections that spanned more than 46,000 square meters. Thirty-four galleries made their debut at the fair, making up the largest number of galleries landing for the first time at Art Basel in more than a decade.

In addition, representatives from more than 230 museums and foundations from around the world attended, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Museum of Latin American Art in Buenos Aires (Malba), the Reina Sofía museum in Spain and the Tate in London.
Although the number of visitors received by the Miami Beach Convention Center in this edition was lower than last year - the organization reported 79,000 people in 2023 - the "solid demand and exceptional sales" made this year's organizers consider it a success.
Sales took place mainly in the opening days of the fair, when VIP guests such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Jared Leto and collectors such as Steve Wynn, Leon Black and Dan Sundheim opened the edition and placed their bids on the works. Sales continued to be led by the Hauser & Wirth gallery, which sold Untitled, a painting by David Hammons, for $4.7 million; as well as 19 other pieces for a total value of $15 million. Other notable sales included Yayoi Kusama's Infinite Nets, which sold for $3.5 million through the David Zwirner gallery and a Georg Baselitz painting for $2.63 million sold by Thaddaeus Ropac. Latin America at the epicenter of American art

Since Wednesday, when the event opened its doors to VIP visitors, works by Latin Americans such as Mexican Damián Ortega, Peruvian Roberto Huarcaya, Brazilian Ernesto Neto, Uruguayan Guillermo García Cruz, Cuban-born artist José Parla, and Argentines Chiachio & Giannone were on display alongside the names of renowned artists at the market. The vibrant colors, large dimensions, and striking textures of their works had a unique echo among visitors and collectors.
Meanwhile, the 43 galleries from different latitudes of Latin America, such as the Mexican OMR, Gaga, Proyectos Monclova, and the Brazilian Luisa Estrina, also had a magnetic effect. Thus, artistic proposals from the region continue to make their way into the art circuit, reported the magazine Architectural Digest.

García Cruz, José Parla, Huarcaya and Chiachio & Giannone were among the 18 artists who created large-format pieces. Meridians, the section dedicated to installations and large-format pieces, put the spotlight on artistic creation in Latin America.

For the creation of the series of images titled Amazograms, a 30-meter installation of photograms, the Peruvian Huarcaya captured the images in the jungle of his country and developed them using water from nearby rivers. The size of the work rose through the room, forcing the audience to walk around the silhouettes of the plants.

Meanwhile, the piece by the Argentine queer duo Chiachio & Giannone, La Famille Dans La Joyeuse Verdure, attracted several glances. The exuberant and colorful tapestry that the couple made as a family self-portrait with their dog took six years to make.
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