Art Basel has just announced an impressive lineup of 291 galleries that will be featured at the highly anticipated 2025 edition of its flagship fair in Basel, Switzerland.
Set to take place from June 19 to 22, with special preview days on June 17 and 18, this year’s event is shaping up to be remarkable, with a fresh section dedicated entirely to contemporary art.
Highlighted Galleries
Among the selected galleries, a noteworthy 231 will participate in the primary Galleries section, showcasing some of the most esteemed names in the art world, including Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Pace Gallery, David Zwirner, Thaddaeus Ropac, and White Cube.
In an exciting twist, two galleries will be making their debut in this section: London’s Arcadia Missa and François Ghebaly, which operates out of both Los Angeles and New York.
In addition, 16 galleries will premiere in the Feature and Statements sections, with notable newcomers like Los Angeles’ Anat Ebgi and London’s Ginny on Frederick set to make their mark.
Five other galleries, such as Beijing Commune, Emalin, and Hunt Kastner, will elevate their status by transitioning from smaller sections into the prestigious Galleries area.
Introducing the Premiere Section
One of the standout features of this year’s fair is the newly launched Premiere section.
Here, ten galleries will showcase artwork from up to three artists, each piece created within the last five years.
For instance, Edel Assanti from London, another first-time participant, will present a solo booth dedicated to the works of Lonnie Holley, while Frankfurt’s Jacky Strenz will honor the late Lin May Saeed through her exhibition.
Other captivating presentations in Premiere will explore themes such as the renewal and erosion of landscapes, featuring talents like Dimitra Charamandas and Basim Magdy.
Additionally, Asia Pacific artists Taloi Havini and Patricia Perez Eustaquio will present works that emphasize craft and memory, courtesy of Silverlens.
Maike Cruse, the director of Art Basel in Basel, shared insights on the Premiere section in an email interview with ARTnews.
She envisions it as a platform for galleries to create an inclusive environment that spotlights the most innovative recent works.
Cruse highlighted that Premiere captures the vibrant essence of contemporary art, encouraging curated projects that resonate with today’s artistic landscape.
Engaging Public Art Installations
This new section adds to the fair’s established segments, like Feature, which showcases historic works, and Statements, spotlighting emerging talent through solo presentations.
As Cruse explained, Premiere aims to reflect the dynamic pulse of the contemporary art scene while presenting thoughtfully curated exhibitions.
Meanwhile, Stefanie Hessler, director of the Swiss Institute in New York, will again oversee the Parcours section, presenting public art installations for the second year in a row.
This year’s focus will explore the relationship between natural and artificial environments, encouraging artists to create unexpected works in various locations throughout Basel, leading to delightful surprises for attendees.
Adding to the excitement, renowned artist Katharina Grosse will unveil a site-specific installation at Messeplatz, just outside the main exhibition hall, offering yet another stunning experience for visitors.
The 2024 Basel fair hinted at a positive recovery in the art market, suggesting regained stability after a recent period of correction.
Cruse noted that last year’s event saw significant engagement from serious collectors and institutions, leading to strong sales across all sectors.
With this momentum, she is optimistic that it will carry over into 2025.
As galleries, artists, and collectors prepare for another inspiring year, the commitment to building meaningful connections and discovering exciting new artistic voices remains unwavering.
This fair promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity and innovation, creating an uplifting atmosphere for everyone involved.