Independent Art Fair Grows, Outpaces Frieze with 76 Exhibitors

Independent, the contemporary art fair, has expanded significantly in 2026, now hosting 76 exhibitors—surpassing Frieze's approximately 68 galleries. The fair relocated to Pier 36 in Chinatown, a hangar-like venue designed by architects So-Il, who previously designed Frieze's tent on Randall's Island. Despite its growth, Independent maintains a tightly curated and aesthetically consistent atmosphere. Notable artists include Johan Samboní, presenting carved-brick figures at SGR Galería; Chakaia Booker, showing recycled rubber-tire sculptures paired with Miguel Rio Branco's photographs at David Nolan and Almeida & Dale; Michael Bühler-Rose, exhibiting marquetry panels at Stems Gallery, created with artisans in Mysore, India, depicting studio bookshelves with items like Neil Young mixtapes and Topo Chico seltzer using natural wood colors; Carrie Schneider, displaying a section of a kilometer-long photograph from a room-size camera, based on Chris Marker's "La Jetée," at David Peter Francis; and Nina Hartmann, presenting works at Silke Lindner. The fair runs from May 14, 2026, at Pier 36.