From El Anatsui to Seba Calfuqueo: The Artists Who Owned Frieze New York 2026
If Frieze New York 2026 proved anything, it’s that great art still has the power to stop collectors.
For five days, The Shed in Manhattan became a meeting point for artists from all over the world. It was a place where people could see the latest in contemporary art. There were famous artists who sold their work for a lot of money, and new artists who were just starting out. Over 25,000 people from 75 different countries came to the fair. But the people who really made the event special were the artists. Their work was what people were talking about long after the fair was over. The fair was like a big conversation about art, and it didn't stop when the booths closed.
The artists and their work were the main attraction, and they were what made the event so memorable.
This week, one of the main attractions was El Anatsui, a artist who makes huge sculptures that sold really well and reminded everyone how important he is in the contemporary art world. Other artists like Georg Baselitz, James Turrell, Alex Katz, Marina Rheingantz, and Antony Gormley also got a lot of attention from collectors, showing that well-known artists still have a lot of influence even as the market becomes more varied. These artists are able to draw in buyers and make big sales, which says a lot about their talent and reputation. The fact that they can still make a big impact in the art world is a testament to their skill and the value of their work. As the market continues to change and grow, it will be interesting to see how these artists and others like them continue to shape the world of contemporary art.
Photo Credit: Frieze New York 2026. Image by Casey Kelbaugh/CKA. Courtesy of Frieze
What really made Frieze stand out, though, were the moments when artists took risks and started new conversations. Kelly Sinnapah Mary's paintings were a great example - they were so full of life and energy that people couldn't help but notice. Hayley Barker's work was also really impressive, it had this amazing ability to transport you from the industrial feel of The Shed to the sweeping landscapes of the American Southwest. And then there was Virginia Jaramillo's solo presentation, which was not only historically important but also felt totally fresh and modern, it really caught people's attention. These were the moments that made Frieze truly exciting, when artists were pushing boundaries and taking us on a journey to new and unexpected places.
One of the fair's strongest currents was its embrace of artists from Latin America. Galleries from across Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina showcased artists whose practices explored identity, history, landscape, and cultural memory. Artists such as Seba Calfuqueo, Jonathas de Andrade, Marcelo Silveira, Maxwell Alexandre, Jaider Esbell, and Wallace Pato drew attention from collectors and curators alike, underscoring the region's growing influence on the global contemporary art scene.
The Focus section of the fair was where people went to discover new and exciting things. It's a platform for younger galleries and new artists to show their work. This time, a Chilean artist named Seba Calfqueo really stood out. People loved his presentation, which was a mix of ceramics, fake hair, symbols, and stories from his Mapuche culture. It was a really powerful way to explore identity and resilience. The presentation was so good that it won the 2026 Focus Stand Prize. This made Seba Calfuqueo one of the most talked-about artists of the week. His work was a big hit, and people were amazed by his unique style and perspective. The Focus section is always a great place to find new talent, and this year was no exception. Seba Calfuqueo's success is a testament to the importance of giving new artists a chance to shine.
Photo Credit: Frieze New York 2026. Image by Casey Kelbaugh/CKA. Courtesy of Frieze
Photo Credit: Frieze New York 2026. Image by Casey Kelbaugh/CKA. Courtesy of Frieze
Other standout presentations came from Reika Takebayashi, whose delicate ceramic works quickly found enthusiastic audiences, and Joanne Burke, whose sold-out booth demonstrated the appetite for compelling new voices. Across the fair, artists working in painting, sculpture, photography, installation, textiles, and digital media found collectors eager to engage with fresh perspectives and ambitious ideas.
The fair had a big impact that went beyond just the booths. There were special projects that included artists like Jonathan Gonzalez, David Lamelas, and Kite, who did performances and installations that brought to life different spaces all around Frieze. This really showed how much the event was committed to trying new things and combining different art forms.
What really made Frieze New York 2026 stand out wasn't just about the sales, but about the artists who made an impact. The fair brought together a diverse range of talents, from world-renowned artists to those who were just starting to make a name for themselves in New York. It was like a snapshot of the contemporary art world at its best - full of energy, ambition, and international flair. In a city that's always buzzing with cultural events, Frieze proved once again that the most exciting thing to see is still an artist with a fresh perspective and something new to say.
Frieze: https://press.frieze.com/
Interview by Brighton Kelley, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
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