Art Basel 2024 Recap
Art Basel 2024 once again demonstrated why it remains the pinnacle of the contemporary art world. Over three immersive days, collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts experienced an array of groundbreaking art, innovative installations, and promising talent. This year’s event was a testament to the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary art.
ART BASEL ARTISTS TO WATCH
The excitement at Art Basel kicked off with the exclusive VIP preview, providing a coveted first look at the most exquisite pieces. The preview was a visual feast, with standout works that set the tone for the entire fair. Here are 8 artists we wanted to highlight.
"I've actually always liked it when my work is included in some new movement, even if the label is restrictive and even if the movement itself is just a fad, because the claim makes the work change. Not physically, of course—but the understanding of it, for me as well as for others." - John Armleder
John Armleder, a Swiss artist born in 1948, is renowned for his diverse and eclectic body of work that spans painting, sculpture, and installation art. A key figure in the Neo-Geo movement, Armleder’s art is characterized by its exploration of geometric abstraction, conceptual rigor, and an engaging dialogue with art history and contemporary culture. His works often blur the boundaries between high art and everyday objects, creating visually striking and thought-provoking pieces.
What makes Armleder’s art so intriguing is his ability to seamlessly blend different styles and mediums, incorporating elements of minimalism, pop art, and abstract expressionism. This eclectic approach not only challenges traditional artistic norms but also invites viewers to engage with his work on multiple levels.
His work is in the permanent collections of many museums, including the Centre Pompidou, Paris; Museum of Modern Art, New York; Long Museum, Shanghai, China; Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles; Kunstmuseum Basel, Switzerland; Museion Foundation – Modern and Contemporary Art Museum, Bolzano, Italy; and Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Claudia Wieser is a contemporary German artist renowned for her geometric abstractions and multi-faceted installations that elegantly blend elements of fine art, design, and architecture. Drawing inspiration from Bauhaus principles and the aesthetic ideals of modernism, Wieser’s work often features intricate patterns, mirrored surfaces, and a harmonious interplay of color and form. Her art captivates viewers through its meticulous craftsmanship and the serene yet dynamic environments it creates, inviting reflection and interaction.
Wieser’s works are included in several prestigious collections such Deutschen Bundesbank in Frankfurt, die Krupp Family Foundation in Boston, die Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, die Jill and Peter Kraus Collection in New York, die Art Collection der Deutschen Flugsicherung in Langen, Art Collection Schürmann in Herzogenrath and Zabludowicz Collection in London.
"I know there is the danger of beauty in my work, or a danger that it becomes purely decorative." - Claudia Wieser
"I feel like a scientist. It's about experimenting with new things and challenging yourself. I needed this kind of a provocation – to introduce something that you fear is a good thing to do. And diagonals are something I always feared, the unbalancing they create." - Beatriz Milhazes
Beatriz Milhazes is a Brazilian artist known for her dazzlingly vibrant paintings that meld abstract forms with elements of Brazilian culture. Born in 1960 in Rio de Janeiro, Milhazes has crafted a distinctive style characterized by intricate patterns, bold colors, and a playful fusion of geometric and floral motifs. Her work often reflects the rhythmic energy of Brazilian life, incorporating influences from Carnival, tropical flora, and the country’s rich artistic traditions.
What makes Milhazes’ art particularly captivating is her innovative technique, which involves layering painted elements and transferring them from plastic sheets to canvas, creating a textured, collage-like effect. This meticulous process results in artworks that are at once orderly and exuberant, abstract yet deeply evocative of the natural and cultural vibrancy of Brazil.
Milhazes’ work is held in numerous collections, including darunter21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan; das Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama; das Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; das Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, Frankreich; die Coleção Berardo in Lissabon; die Fundação Edson Queiroz in Fortaleza, Brasilien; die Fundación La Caixa in Madrid; das Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo; das Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro; das Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Joel Mesler is a contemporary artist known for his vibrant, text-based paintings that merge autobiographical elements with playful, often provocative phrases. Mesler’s art stands out for its unique blend of personal narrative and universal themes, rendered in bold colors and dynamic compositions that draw viewers into his introspective yet engaging world. His works often explore themes of identity, self-reflection, and the human experience, making them both visually striking and deeply resonant.
"I've always felt like when you start a work, it takes you on a journey. For me, the challenge was to figure out how to give into that." - Nari Ward
Nari Ward is a renowned contemporary artist known for his innovative use of found objects and everyday materials to create thought-provoking installations and sculptures. Born in Jamaica in 1963 and based in New York, Ward explores themes of identity, race, migration, and the socio-political landscape in his work. His art is distinguished by its rich narrative quality and its ability to transform discarded items into poignant commentary on society and culture.
Ward’s work is in numerous international public and private collections, including Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY; Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD; the Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, TX; the Brooklyn Museum, New York, NY; Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR; GAM, Galleria Civica di arte, Torino, Italy; the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA; Istanbul Modern, Istanbul, Turkey; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA; Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean, Luxembourg; the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham, NC; National Gallery of Victoria, Southbank, Australia; the New York Public Library, New York, NY; Pérez Art Museum Miami, FL; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.; Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY; the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY; the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN; and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY.
Austyn Weiner is a contemporary artist known for her captivating use of color and innovative compositions that explore the intersection of identity, sexuality, and the human condition. Her work is characterized by dynamic brushwork, vibrant hues, and a keen sense of emotional intensity, making each piece a compelling visual experience. Weiner’s ability to blend raw emotion with abstract elements creates a unique narrative that resonates with viewers on multiple levels.
What makes Weiner’s art particularly interesting is her technique of layering textures and colors, which imbues her canvases with depth and complexity. Her pieces often evoke a sense of both familiarity and mystery, inviting viewers to explore the intricate details and underlying stories within each work.
Austyn Weiner’s art is part of several prestigious collections, including Aurora Museum in Shanghai, das Xiao Museum in Rizhao in der Provinz Shandong, das He Art Museum (HEM) in Shunde in der Provinz Foshan, die Green Family Art Foundation in Dallas, das Deiji Art Museum in Nanjing und das Space K in Seoul, Südkorea.
"My journey has been linear in pursuit but not in practice." - Austyn Weiner
"It's never been about that. It's always about creating something aesthetically beautiful to capture you first, and then go into whatever message you want to place in there." - Idris Khan.
Idris Khan is a contemporary artist known for his captivating use of layering and innovative compositions that explore themes of memory, history, and spirituality. His work is characterized by dynamic brushwork, monochromatic hues, and a keen sense of depth, making each piece a compelling visual experience. Khan’s ability to blend multiple images and texts creates a unique narrative that resonates with viewers on multiple levels.
What makes Khan’s art particularly interesting is his technique of layering textures and visual elements, which imbues his canvases with depth and complexity. His pieces often evoke a sense of both familiarity and mystery, inviting viewers to explore the intricate details and underlying stories within each work.
His work is in the permanent collections of many institutions worldwide such as The Saatchi Collection, London, England; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Israel; the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the de Young Museum, San Francisco; and the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France.
Kenjiro Okazaki is a contemporary artist renowned for his innovative use of form and space, exploring the intersection of sculpture, painting, and architecture. His work is characterized by meticulous craftsmanship, dynamic compositions, and a keen sense of harmony, making each piece a compelling visual experience. Okazaki’s ability to blend traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern techniques creates a unique narrative that resonates with viewers on multiple levels.
What makes Okazaki’s art particularly interesting is his technique of integrating diverse materials and geometric forms, which imbues his creations with depth and complexity. His pieces often evoke a sense of both order and spontaneity, inviting viewers to explore the intricate details and underlying structures within each work.
"As soon as I start painting, I immediately recall many things. I don't have a subject in mind before painting. Instead, the painting process is an exercise in finding a specific topic or theme. Each work must have its own unique character." - Kenjiro Okazaki
