Frieze New York Opens with Strong Sales, Hirshhorn Adds 312 Works, Getty Boosts Black Visual Arts Archive
The 15th edition of Frieze New York at The Shed commenced with impressive sales, featuring several transactions exceeding seven figures. White Cube successfully sold two sculptures by El Anatsui for $2.2 million and $1.9 million, alongside Antony Gormley's SET VII for £450,000 ($608,555), and Howardena Pindell's Deep Space #4 for $275,000. James Cohan Gallery nearly sold out its collection of paintings by Kelly Sinnapah Mary. Dealers observed a resurgence of market confidence following Frieze Los Angeles and Expo Chicago. For its 50th anniversary, the Hirshhorn Museum acquired 314 new works, including pieces by Mickalene Thomas. The Getty's Black Visual Arts Archives initiative has earmarked $1.8 million for preservation, while the CFDA Scholarship Fund plans to distribute $1.5 million in 2026. Additionally, Iran will take part in the 2026 Venice Biennale.
Key facts
- Frieze New York opened its 15th edition at The Shed with seven-figure sales.
- White Cube sold two El Anatsui sculptures for $2.2 million and $1.9 million.
- Hirshhorn Museum acquired 314 new works during its 50th anniversary year.
- Getty allocated an additional $1.8 million to its Black Visual Arts Archives initiative.
- CFDA Scholarship Fund will distribute a record $1.5 million in scholarships in 2026.
- Iran will participate in the 2026 Venice Biennale after reversing withdrawal.
- Hirshhorn's redesigned Sugimoto-led Sculpture Garden reopens October 2026.
- Frieze New York saw strong presales and market optimism from Venice Biennale attendees.
Entities
Artists
- El Anatsui
- Antony Gormley
- Howardena Pindell
- Kelly Sinnapah Mary
- Mickalene Thomas
- Sarah Sze
- Danny Lyon
- Lauren Halsey
- Raven Halfmoon
- Pedro Reyes
- Liz Larner
- Woody De Othello
- Mark Grotjahn
- Chatchai Puipia
- Michael McGregor
- Hiroshi Sugimoto
- Aydin Mahdizadeh Tehrani
Institutions
- Frieze New York
- The Shed
- James Cohan Gallery
- White Cube
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Smithsonian Institution
- Getty Foundation
- Getty Black Visual Arts Archives
- CFDA Scholarship Fund
- Veronica Beard
- PVH Foundation
- Geoffrey Beene Foundation
- Tiffany & Co.
- Bezos Earth Fund
- Clark Atlanta University
- Anacostia Community Museum
- Visual AIDS
- Casa Monti
- New York Public Library
- Galerie Philia
- Issey Miyake
- Venice Biennale
- Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
- Sotheby's
- Christie's
- Frieze Los Angeles
- Expo Chicago
- Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Getty's Black Visual Arts Archives
- Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum
Locations
- New York
- United States
- The Shed
- National Mall
- Venice
- Italy
- Petrópolis
- Brazil