Eva Presenhuber reflects on founding LISTE art fair and its impact on young galleries

Eva Presenhuber, founder of Galerie Eva Presenhuber in Zürich and New York, recalls her involvement in establishing LISTE in 1996. Frustrated by exclusion from Art Basel, she collaborated with Peter Kilchmann and Peter Bläuer to create a parallel fair for emerging galleries. The inaugural edition featured prominent galleries, prompting Art Basel to launch its Statements section in 1997. Presenhuber notes that LISTE's strict selection process remains a key strength, offering younger dealers competition and visibility. The fair has been supported since its inception by E.Gutzwiller & Cie, Banquiers, a private bank founded in 1886 in Basel. Presenhuber's gallery represents artists such as Angela Bulloch, Liam Gillick, Ugo Rondinone, and Eva Rothschild. She previously directed Galerie Walcheturm in Zürich, building a roster including Peter Fischli/David Weiss and Urs Fischer. LISTE continues to serve as a critical platform for new galleries, maintaining its relevance through rigorous curation.