Art Basel, the world’s premier art fair, has announced the lineup for its 2025 edition in Basel, Switzerland, featuring 291 galleries from across the globe, per artnews.com. The event, set to run from June 19–22 with preview days on June 17–18, will introduce a groundbreaking new section, Premiere, dedicated to art created within the past five years. This addition underscores the fair’s commitment to showcasing cutting-edge contemporary works and fostering innovation in the art world.
The main Galleries section will host 231 exhibitors, including industry giants like Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Pace Gallery and David Zwirner. Two galleries, London’s Arcadia Missa and François Ghebaly of Los Angeles and New York, will make their Basel debuts. Meanwhile, 16 other galleries, such as Anat Ebgi (Los Angeles) and Ginny on Frederick (London), will join the fair for the first time in the Feature and Statements sections. Five galleries, including Beijing Commune and Emalin, will graduate to the prestigious Galleries section after previously participating in smaller sectors.
The new Premiere section will spotlight 10 galleries presenting works by up to three artists, all created since 2020. Highlights include London’s Edel Assanti, showcasing a solo booth by Lonnie Holley, and Frankfurt’s Jacky Strenz, dedicating its presentation to the late artist Lin May Saeed. Thematic displays will explore topics like erosion, regeneration, and memory, with works by artists such as Dimitra Charamandas and Taloi Havini.
Maike Cruse, Director of Art Basel in Basel, emphasised the importance of Premiere in reflecting the energy and innovation of contemporary art. “This section offers a fresh platform for some of the most exciting works being created today,” she told ARTnews. “It bridges the experimental and the established, offering a space where collectors, curators, and audiences can engage with artists shaping today’s landscape.”
In addition to the gallery sections, the fair’s Parcours programme, curated by Stefanie Hessler, will return with the theme “Second Nature,” exploring the interplay between the natural and artificial. Acclaimed artist Katharina Grosse will also create a site-specific installation in Basel’s Messeplatz, adding a dynamic public art element to the event.
Following a strong 2024 edition with 91,000 visitors, Cruse expressed optimism for 2025, noting the resilience of the art market and the continued enthusiasm of collectors and institutions. “We’re looking forward to another year of meaningful connections and exciting discoveries,” she said.
- Featured image: The 2024 edition of Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland/Sara Barth/Art Basel
