Portal Art Fair's Second Edition Opens in SoHo with Unlabeled Works and Diverse Selection

Portal Art Fair's second iteration opened at 435 Broome Street in SoHo on May 3, 2017, running through May 8 with free admission. Organized by the non-profit 4heads, which also produces the annual Governor's Island Art Fair, the event was relocated from Federal Hall to a small ground-floor room, resulting in a somewhat rushed presentation. None of the exhibited works are labeled with titles, materials, or prices. The fair features artists selected from previous participants or an open call, working primarily in painting, small-scale installation, and sculpture, with no video art included. Notable works include a series of six photographs by Martina Kändler, who constructed miniature paper environments lit to resemble broken CCTV footage of rooms and hallways. Across the space, Grant Stoops presents two large oil paintings on board titled Clowny Guy and Soul of a Clowny Guy, depicting a golem-like figure rendered against stark white and shadowy backgrounds. The selection showcases diverse artistic approaches within constrained physical parameters.