Art Paris

Art Paris is a broadly themed, modern and contemporary art fair with 150 galleries from 20 countries. It focuses in part on a regional exploration of European art scenes from the post-war period to the present day, whilst showcasing the new horizons of contemporary creation from Asia, Russia, Africa and the Middle East. Its theme-based approach (with a guest country or region every year) and Solo Show and Promises sectors (the latter specifically supporting young galleries and emerging talents) affirm this leading spring event’s vocation as a place of discovery.

Many different types of galleries exhibit at the fair, but it’s true that many of them are medium- sized galleries. To draw a comparison with the world of the cinema, I’d call them “galeries d’auteur”, by which I mean that, just like a film d’auteur (an arthouse movie), these galleries have their own unique editorial line and represent artists who deserve to be discovered or rediscovered, despite not being in the top 50 star artists you see everywhere.

Even if there is some expensive art at the fair, the majority of works are priced between 10,000 and 20,000 euros and, as such, are affordable works for collectors who want to treat themselves.

Most of the 63,000 visitors who attended the fair in 2019 were French and either from Paris or the rest of France, however there was also a European clientele from neighbouring countries, such as Switzerland, Italy and Belgium. The average age of visitors is between 40 and 50 and many of them are professionals.

The fair boasts a friendly atmosphere and is neither too big, nor too small. What’s more, Art Paris is held in the Grand Palais, one of the most beautiful buildings the world. It has a strong editorial line with themes at very edition that allow the public to increase its knowledge about an art scene or scenes, which are rarely seen in Paris. And finally, its dual regional and cosmopolitan identity is an antidote to the feeling of sameness that confronts visitors to so many other art fairs around the world.

Apart from the obvious ones (Art Basel, Frieze, Fiac), I would recommend viennacontemporary, which provides an insight into the art of Central Europe and the Balkans and 1-54 London, which has become an international showcase for African art.