The Armory Show, which marks the start of New York’s busy art season, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. For the fourth consecutive year, the fair is being held at the Javits Center on Manhattan’s far West Side. Open to the public from September 6-8, with a VIP preview on September 5, this year’s edition promises an exciting new era under the leadership of Kyla McMillan, who took over as director just a few months ago, replacing former director Nicole Berry.
“My goal is to empower collectors and emphasize the fair’s role as a platform for artists, galleries, and art enthusiasts,” said McMillan, who brings a wealth of experience to the role. She is the founder of the gallery and consulting company Saint George Projects and has worked as a director at David Zwirner, Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, and Alexander Gray Associates. “The Armory Show has long been celebrated as a foundational fair for New York and the U.S. art market. I look forward to building on its achievements while also championing new voices and creating opportunities for diverse perspectives in contemporary art.”
McMillan’s appointment comes as the fair enters its second year under the ownership of London-based company Frieze, which operates eight art fairs globally, including Frieze New York, London, Seoul, and Los Angeles.
This year’s fair will feature an array of standout works in the main section. Among the highlights is the London-based gallery Victoria Miro, which will showcase a major video work by Isaac Julien. Fresh from a five-screen presentation at the recently closed 2024 Whitney Biennale, Julien’s piece, titled *Once Again . . . (Statues Never Die)*, will be displayed as a two-screen installation accompanied by related photographic works. The film explores the relationship between U.S. African art collector Dr. Albert C. Barnes and philosopher Alain Locke, a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance.
Another notable presentation comes from Marianne Ibrahim Gallery, which has locations in Chicago, Paris, and Mexico City. The gallery will feature a solo booth of stunning paintings by Japanese artist Yukimasa Ida. These works, which balance abstraction and figuration, follow two major solo museum exhibitions in 2023 at the Yonago City Museum of Art and the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art.
The Armory Show continues to be a cornerstone of the New York art scene, and this year’s edition promises to be a dynamic celebration of contemporary art.
