Swiss art fair highlight

The Art Basel show unites the international art world, with more than 290 top galleries presenting works by over 4000 artists. Daily talks, exhibitions and events in and around Basel make it a region-wide art experience. Photo: © Courtesy of Art Basel

BEST OF | Issue 3 | Spring 2025

This year’s presentation of Art Basel has been awaited with a surge of anticipation. It will boast 289 leading international art galleries from 42 countries and territories which will be brought together to exhibit outstanding works in all the various media, ranging from painting and sculpture all the way to photography and digital art. In 2025, eighteen new galleries from Europe, Asia and America will be welcomed in order to provide brand-new perspectives and extend the global reach of the art fair even further. Among the newcomers, two will participate directly in the main sector of galleries – Arcadia Missa (London) and François Ghebaly (Los Angeles, New York), whereas 14 galleries will be represented for the first time in the sectors Feature and Statements.

Kara Walker, “The Gates of Hello!”, 2024 Watercolour and sumi-e ink on cut paper on paper, 210.2 x 216.9 cm Gallery: Sikkema Malloy Jenkins, New York Photo: © Kara Walker, courtesy of Sikkema Malloy Jenkins, New York

Extraordinary diversity

The artistic creators represented at the fair cover a wide spectrum, from trailblazing pioneers of modern art in the early 20th century to visionary contemporary talents. Art Basel will thereby reinforce, once again, its unchallenged position as the leading event in the worldwide art market, as a global centrepiece for discoveries, networking and the driving force in the international art world.

The extraordinarily wide-ranging artistic offerings at the fair will be completed by a series of dynamic events unfolding throughout the city of Basel which draw in the most renowned cultural institutions. This programme heightens the cultural eminence of the city in the spotlight and makes unmistakably clear how profound an effect Art Basel exercises on its home city, thereby raising Basel’s significance as an incomparable cultural destination.

Katherine Bradford, “Diver Dark Waves”, 2023, acrylic on canvas, 25,5 x 20,5 cm, Gallery: kaufmann repetto, Milan/New York Courtesy of the artist and Private Collection and kaufmann repetto, Photo: © Andrea Rossetti

A powerful cultural platform

Maike Cruse, Director of Art Basel says: “I am excited to once again welcome the global art world to our flagship event in June. Art Basel 2025 promises to be a defining moment, showcasing a diverse range of extraordinary artworks, sparking international dialogue, and reinforcing its position as one of the most influential events on the global art calendar. With an unmatched line-up of galleries, the introduction of exciting new sectors like Premiere, the return of Parcours, and a stunning immersive installation by Katharina Grosse, Art Basel continues to be a powerful platform for discovery and a driving force for cultural exchange, innovation, and artistic expression.”

A particular highlight of the art fair is the new sector with the moniker “Premiere” which offers art galleries a platform in order to present up to three trendsetting artists/creators who will show works from the last five years. Premiere makes it possible for visitors to discover new and innovative artistic positions.

Kara Walker, “Levitator – After the Original”, 2024, Patinated bronze, 35.6 x 31.8 x 26.7 cm; Gallery: Sikkema Malloy Jenkins Photo: © Kara Walker, courtesy of Sikkema Malloy Jenkins, New York

Special sectors

The renowned sector known as “Parcours” will return, once again curated by Stefanie Hessler, Directress of the Swiss Institute in New York. Another spectacular highlight will be the illustrious artist Katharina Grosse, who with her spray technique will transform the grounds of the Messe and their surrounding structures into a vivid, vibrating, highly colourful landscape. The sector known as “Unlimited” – curated by Giovanni Carmine, Director of the Kunsthalle in St. Gallen, will once again provide a platform for large-scale installations and performances which would be inconceivable in the framework of a traditional gallery.

The Baloise Art Prize, endowed with 30,000 CHF, will be awarded on 26th May in the sector known as “Statements” to as many as two creators. In addition, Baloise Werke will secure the distinguished winners for a gift bestowal to two leading European museums that will subsequently dedicate a solo exhibition to the prize winners.

Junko Oki, “Dahlia”, 2024, Gallery: Kosaku Kanechika, Tokyo Photo: © by Osamu Sakamoto, © Junko Oki, Courtesy of KOSAKU KANECHIKA

Tickets, dates and opening hours:
Tickets: www.artbasel.com/basel/buy-tickets
Preview (on invitation only) Tuesday, 17th June and Wednesday, 18th June 2025
Opening hours to general public: Thursday, 19th June until Sunday, 22nd June 2025
Press accreditation: artbasel.com/accreditation

About Art Basel

Art Basel was established in 1970 by a group of galleries in Basel and today plays host to the most important art fairs for modern and contemporary art in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong and Paris. Each art fair bears the signature of its respective hosting city and region, making each and every presentation quite unique. This local colour is also reflected in the list of participating galleries, in the works exhibited and in the programme of supporting events which is presented and performed for each edition in collaboration with the institutions of the host city. The engagement of Art Basel has extended beyond the dimensions of art fairs to include new digital platforms and innovative initiatives such as The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and the Art Basel Shop. For detailed information visit artbasel.com