Armory Show 2026: Quiet Fair at Javits Center with Focus on Caribbean Art
The Armory Show returned to the Javits Center in Manhattan for its 2026 edition, presenting a familiar mix of hotel-lobby art and inoffensive works exploring identity and memory, with only a slim minority of standout pieces. The Focus section, curated by María Elena Ortiz of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, was dedicated to art from the Caribbean and featured notable works such as Lisu Vega's 'A Momentary Whole' (2025), Kaloki Nyamai's 'Tusukane' (2023), Zenobia Lee's 'Banana Leaves et Los Rios' (2026), Lucia Hierro's 'Nuestra Silla' (Our Chair) (2026), and Bony Ramirez's 'La Carta' (2026). Other highlights included Mike and Doug Starn's cloudy sky (2026), Manuel Mathieu's 'Shrine' (2025), Sonya Clark's 'Edifice & Mortar' (2018), Rosalind Tallmadge's 'Palingenesis' (2026), Michelle Im's 'The Auctioneer' (2026), Sandra Brewster's 'Make Trouble' (2024), Tamara Kostianovsky's gutted birds, and works by Rebecca Ness. Spinello Projects' booth in the Focus section was also noted. Despite ongoing sales activity, the fair felt quiet and downcast, contrasting with the financial sector trade show on the floor below, which seemed more lively. The event took place in 2026, though specific dates were not provided.
Key facts
- The Armory Show 2026 was held at the Javits Center in Manhattan.
- The Focus section was curated by María Elena Ortiz of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and dedicated to Caribbean art.
- Notable works included Lisu Vega's 'A Momentary Whole' (2025), Kaloki Nyamai's 'Tusukane' (2023), and Zenobia Lee's 'Banana Leaves et Los Rios' (2026).
- The fair was described as quiet and downcast, with a financial sector trade show on the floor below seeming more energetic.
- Spinello Projects had a booth in the Focus section.
- Artists such as Lucia Hierro, Bony Ramirez, Mike and Doug Starn, Manuel Mathieu, Sonya Clark, Rosalind Tallmadge, Michelle Im, Sandra Brewster, Tamara Kostianovsky, and Rebecca Ness were represented.
- The fair featured a mix of hotel-lobby art and works exploring identity and memory.
- The event took place in 2026, though exact dates were not specified.
Entities
Artists
- María Elena Ortiz
- Lisu Vega
- Kaloki Nyamai
- Zenobia Lee
- Lucia Hierro
- Mike Starn
- Doug Starn
- Manuel Mathieu
- Sonya Clark
- Rosalind Tallmadge
- Michelle Im
- Bony Ramirez
- Sandra Brewster
- Tamara Kostianovsky
- Rebecca Ness
- Jovanna Venegas
- Rafael Domenech
- María Magdalena Campos-Pons
- Gaëlle Choisne
- Paloma Izquierdo
- Margarita Cabrera
- Remy Jungerman
- Valerie Brathwaite
- Curtis Talwst Santiago
- Hew Locke
- Jesús Hilario-Reyes
- Ania Freer
- Cornelius Tulloch
- Juliette Karagueuzoglou
- Rafael Ferrer
- Tavares Strachan
- Lulu Varona
- Raphael Montañez Ortiz
- DJ Foreigner
- Zoë Pulley
- Sofía del Mar Collins
- Kiván Quiñones
- Drew Sawyer
- Kyla McMillan
- Christine Messineo
Institutions
- The Armory Show
- Javits Center
- Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
- Spinello Projects
- Hyperallergic
- SculptureCenter
- AIRIE.Foundation
- Marian Goodman Gallery
- El Museo del Barrio
- Vote.org
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Pérez Art Museum Miami
- Bronx Museum
- Delfina Foundation
- Frieze
Locations
- Manhattan
- New York
- United States
- Fort Worth
- Texas
- Caribbean
- Javits Center
- Jamaica
- Greater Everglades
- Richmond
- Virginia
- London
- United Kingdom